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SE='I^IaiTC3-I^IEXJI5, IXiXjIITOIS. 



18S3. 



Tliat " blood •will tell," all tlioughtfu.1 ixien agree. 
But -wlietlier good or bad the story be 
"VVliicli tlius is told, depends entirely 
Upon the blood itself — its quality. 

If bad the blood, the story bad will be ; 

If good the blood, a story good -we see. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

To the very general introduction of the improved breeds must be accred- 
ited the greatly increased use of pork products in all the civilized countries 
of the world ; as without these, meats of such excellent quality and in such 
large amounts could not be supplied. 

The revelations of the late United States census prove the rearing of 
hogs to be one of the foremost of our rural iudustries. The number re- 
ported in 1880 was nearly forty-eight millions ; the rate of increase in ten 
years being 90 per cent, while that of horses was 45 ; of milch cows 39 ; of 
oxen 35 ; of other cattle 66, and of sheep only 24 per cent. 

The meat consuming portions of mankind are interested in whatever 
affects the price or the quality of the vast supplies they receive from this 
country. The pork producers are equally concerned in everything affecting 
the demand and supply, and in whatever is suggestive of better methods of 
feeding and handling. Considering the importance of the business and the 
amount of capital invested, the growing interest in the breeding and man- 
agement of improved swine is not surprising. 

The Swine Breeder's Manual presents the subject in some of its details in 
a plain, brief, way. J, Even those who have never kept any other than common 
hogs may find in it much that will aid them in securing better results than are 
usually realized in the rearing of ordinary stock, and which may lead them 
to a trial for themselves of improved swine. 

For matter pertaining to the registry of Berkshires see last pages of the 
Manual. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



THE PIG AS A SOURCE OF PROFIT. 

As a rule, the pig is reared for the money that is in him. We may talk 
about cheap meats for the millions as a necessity justifying the rearing of 
swine, and persuade ourselves that the man is excusable who at this day 
places before his fellow men, as an article of diet, that which in olden times 
was rejected by an honored people as unfit for human food. Little differ- 
ence, however, does it make to the man thus excused, whether we think of 
him as a philanthropist or as one engaged in leading mankind astray, so long 
as he has a fair profit on the pigs he rears, or on the pork products he can 
place on the market. If there were no money for him in the breeding and 
rearing of hogs he would not engage in the business. We find, however, 
that to nearly every farmer and cottager in the land there is a profit in pig 
raising, and so long as such is the case, we may expect to see this among the 
leading industries in civilized America. 

The rapidly growing interest in swine breeding in the United States 
is shown by the late census returns. According to these there were 
on farms, in June, iSSo, 47,683,951 hogs, the rate of increase since 1870 
being ninety per cent., while the rate of increase in population during the 
same time was only thirty per cent. The census returns show also that 
nearly two-thirds of the hogs in the United States in 1880 were in the five 
States of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio. With facts and figures 
such as these at hand it is not surprising that the live-stock and agricultural 
papers, particularly those of the west, should devote more attention than 
formerly to swine husbandry, and that public records of breeding stock should 
be established and sustained; nor, on the other hand, that all parties inter- 
ested in swine breeding should more eagerly avail themselves of every means 
calculated to aid in the successful prosecution of this work. 

SELECTING STOCK. 

While it is true that, as a rule, the pig is one of the most profitable of 
our domestic animals, it is also evident that the amount of profit he can be 
made to bring will be governed largely by the differences in methods of 
keeping and the intelligence or skill with which he is handled. 

We find also that pigs are kept under the most varied circumstances, from 
those affecting the single sty-pig, for example, or the few gleaners about the 
farm yard, to the more extensive herds under the broader management 
known as swine husbandry. Owing to this great diversity of conditions to be 
taken into account, it would be impossible to give in few words definite 
teachings exactly suited to each case. 

At the very outset — the selection of stock — there is a wide range for 
difference in choice. To produce pure-bred stock to be sold for breeding 
purposes and the improvement of common stock, may be the object in view 
with some. To rear and feed hogs for what they will bring on the market 
when fat may be the aim of others. Location, the amount of capital at' 
command, and a man's own taste or disposition in such matters, must help 
determine which of these classes he will enter, or whether, as is often done, 
he will breed and rear hogs with both objects in view. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



In founding a herd for the production of pure-bred stock, it is advisable 
that the novice buy only from some thoroughly reliable and experienced 
breeder; and that he leave to him the selection of the animals. If the man 
of whom we buy is really a breeder of experience, his knowledge of the points 
to be considered in the mating of stock will be valuable, and if he be re- 
liable, it will be money well invested to pay him not only for good animals, 
but for the selection of such as are best suited for breeding together. It will 
be time and money saved to begin right, taking as a foundation, so far as 
available, the best stock and the ripest experience of those who have gone 
before. There will be time enough for experimenting, and the testing of 
new-born theories, after we are fairly in the field. Having once learned 
something of the business from observation and practice, we may, in later 
purchases, trust more to ourselves; but at the start it is certainly best to rely 
upon the judgment of a well-informed and trustworthy breeder and have him 
select for us a good boar and one or more sows — both sexes to be pure-bred 
animals. 



PIGS FOR FATTENING. 

If it is our purpose in rearing pigs that they shall be fattened and sold 
on the market for pork, it is not necessary that the dam shall be a pure-bred 
animal. Care in this regard is needed only in case of the sire. If he has come 
of a well-established pure-bred family of good feeding animals, his progeny 
from well-formed and vigorous common or grade sows are usually all that 
can be desired as rapid growers and good feeders. Such sows will generally 
prove quite as profitable for this purpose as the higher priced pure-bred ani- 
mals. In fact, common sows are, with a good show of reason, often deemed 
the better suited for rearing pigs to be fattened than are the pure-bred sows — 
first cost being left out of the question altogether. They are believed to 
be more hardy, from the supposition that their digestive and vital organs are 
better developed. 

Taking, however, the average of common sows throughout the country 
as compared with the average of pure-bred sows of our best approved strains, 
we are sure the latter are far superior in every desirable respect. Purity of 
breeding, judicious feeding, and a reasonable degree of protection from the 
severe colds of winter and the heats of summer, do not tend to impair con- 
stitutional vigor or render animals so treated any the less hardy. On the 
other hand, we believe that the terrible neglect and exposure to 
which common hogs are so often subjected would eventually cause the ex- 
termination of the whole porcine tribe, or at least render it as worthless to 
mankind as the wild boar of the forest, were these other agents not at work 
to counteract such a result. It is to the persistent efforts of intelligent 
breeders that we are to-day indebted for the immense quantities of the 
choicest pork products ever before known in the markets of the world. From 
their well-kept herds are constantly being drawn the animals needed to re- 
pair, in common herds, the losses occasioned by neglect in management 
and carlessness in breeding. 



THE SWINE BREEDER S MANUAL. 



Where common hogs are most abundant, better opportunities are given 
for the selection of brood sows from among them ; and thus it sometimes 
happens that the best of common stook comes to as compared, as breeders, 
with pure-bred stock — inferior though it be of its kind — and the conclusion 
reached that as a class pure-bred sows are not equal as breeders and sucklers 
to the common sows. As, however, the latter, taken as a whole, are excelled 
by the pure-bred, so also in proportion to difference of blood are the com- 
mon sows surpasesd by what are known as grades; that is, such as are of 
common stock on one side and pure blood on the other. Hence, we have 
recommended tor the rearing of fattening pigs the use of well-formed and 
vigorous common or grade sows. 

THE BOAR AND HIS KEEPING. 

Whether the pigs are intended for pork or for breeding purposes, the 
general care to be given the boar will be in either case about the same. 
From the time he is five months old he should be kept by himself. He 
should be provided with a comfortable shelter in an enclosure where he can 
have the exercise needed to keep him in a healthy and growing condition 
while young. 

As a preventive of his becoming vicious or learning to break fencesj it 
is best that a lot or other enclosure intervene between his own and that in 
which other hogs — particularly open sows — are allowed to run. If thus kepL 
from the start, any ordinary fence will be sufficient. If by the neglect of 
this preventive he should acquire the habit of lifting gates and breaking 
fences, much trouble in restraining him may afterwards be expected. In 
case he becomes bad in this way, a strong, close fence will be needed to con- 
fine him, and besides he should be treated to one or two rings in his nose. 
A part of an apple orchard, where the trees are so well grown that he can 
not injure them, say half an acre or more, as convenience for fencing may 
allow, would make an excellent yard, affording both shade and pasturage. 
Where accommodations to this extent can not be had, and the boar must be 
kept in a dry lot, let it be a yard adjoining the kitchen garden, in order that he 
may be conveniently supplied every day during the growing season with 
weeds and refuse vegetables. Purslane (^Portulacd), lamb's quarter (^Ckeno- 
podiufn), pig weed {Atnarantus) and other well-known garden pests, are excel- 
lent feed, and may as well be utilized in this way. He will be greatly bene- 
fited if sour milk and the best of the kitchen slops can be given him. He 
should, besides, have at all times a plentiful supply of good, fresh water. 
His daily allowance of soaked oats or corn should be governed in amount by 
the quantity and richness of the supplies above mentioned, bearing in mind 
that he is now to be fed with a view to the most rapid growth consistent with 
sound health and the best possible physical development, rather than to be 
made fat. He should be fed all he will eat until a year old ; but this can not 
be done, and he kept in the thrifty growing condition to be desired, unless 
special care be taken in the manner of feeding; the kind as well as the quan- 
tity of feed being regulated by or changed according to the changes of season. 

The young boar should not be put to service until he is eight months old. 
At this age it will be no injurj to him if allowed to serve one sow a week, 



THE SWINK breeder's MANUAL. 



although he will get better pigs when a year or more old than at a younger age. 
When ten months old he may serve two sows each week, and when a year old, 
if properly cared for to that time, one every other day. When eighteen 
months old and over he may safely be allowed one sow a day, but must, in 
the meantime and when in use, be well and regularly fed. As a rule, the 
boar is needed only for a month or two in the fall and again for several weeks 
in the spring. As it is usually desirable to have the sows farrow as nearly 
as possible at the same time, the temptation is to crowd the service of the 
boar into the shortest time possible. When only a few sows are kept little 
harm can result from this, but in large herds the advantage gained by having 
the little pigs all of nearly one age, is at the expense of strong, healthy lit- 
ters, that would mature to the best advantage, whether as feeding hogs or as 
breeders. 

When a sow is to be served she should be turned into the lot with the 
boar, as it is usually an easier matter to drive the sow away than to return 
the boar to his place. It is the general opinion among practical men tha^ 
one service only should be allowed. Two or more are not believed to be anv 
more certain to result in numerous and healthy progeny than one, but are 
considered a useless expenditure of the strength and vigor of the boar. 

THE SOW AT FARROWING. 

At no other time of the year more than at the close of winter and dur- 
ing the early part of the spring will it pay to give special attention to the 
brood-sows. A litter of pigs lost now cannot be replaced until next sum- 
mer, and even then only with young things too late to be fattened until the 
following year. Early spring pigs usually make the best returns, Whether 
intended for fattening or to be sold as breeders. Owing, however, to the 
absence of grass or other succulent feed at this season, sows will not usually 
do well unless special care be taken in their feeding and management. 

To each sow there should be assigned a lot or pen a week or two before 
farrowing. This is the almost universal advice of all who have undertaken 
to tell what they know about raising pigs. Occasionally some one has a 
chance case to relate where a sow, having escaped her keeper and chosen 
her own place for farrowing, has done so remarkably well that we are ad- 
monished thereby to " let nature take its course." Suppose we do, and get 
us back to the old-time wild-hog course of management, or, rather, of no man- 
agement at all? Would we be satisfied with the results? We think not; for of 
the wild-hog in " Youatt & Martin " we read : " The female produces but 
one litter in the year, and her litters are much smaller in number than those 
of the domestic pig." Sidney says: "The sowbreads once a year, only, 
receives the boar in January or February, litters in May or Jnne — five, six, 
sometimes eight, or, rarely more — suckles them for three or four months, 
and does not allow them to leave her until two or three years old." In these 
days a sow is expected to rear two litters a year, and to produce from nine to 
fifteen each time. This improvement of old "Nature" is the result of man's 
attendance and care, without which no advances of the kind would have 
been made, nor would they now be maintained. 



THE SWINB breeder's MANUAL. 



Sows that farrow in mild weather may, with less risk, be left to them- 
selves, but even they will be better fed and taken care of, for if penned at 
some convenient place where they can be found regularly, and where the 
young pigs can afterwards be cared for, and are not liable to be run over or 
robbed of their feed by older hogs. 

If sows in farrow are fed exclusively on dry corn, they are apt to become 
so fat that at farrowing time they are heavy and awkward, as well as feverish 
and cross, and, for these reasons, liable to destroy their pigs, either by overlay- 
ing or by devouring them. If fed liberally for several weeks on wheat bran and 
ship-stuff, or middlings, scalded, and then allowed to stand until only 
warm, very little corn will be required. The bowels will be kept open and 
abetter supply of milk will be afforded the young pigs when they come. 

After farrowing, the feeding of bran and ship stuff should be continued 
for some ten days or two*weeks. The richness of the feed may then be grad- 
ually increased. Not until the pigs are three or four weeks old will they be- 
gin to draw heavily on the sow for supplies. By this time, however, they 
may be taught to eat from a trough by themselves. This will put them 
along rapidly. If, at the same time, the sow be well and regularly fed on 
nutritious milk-producing feed, both she and the pigs will do well, until 
the latter are old enough to be weaned, 

CARE OF THE YOUNG PIGS. 

In order to succeed well in rearing pigs, special care, in many respects, is 
needed. One who has no disposition to look after minor details in the man- 
agement of the sow and her litter, had better keep in the background and 
allow some trusty person to take his place, or else not attempt pig rearing at 
all. From the time the pigs are farrowed until they are weaned, they must 
have the best care that can be given them. This, by no means, consists in 
having an attendant with them all the time, nor in petting and handling them, 
nor in constantly feeding and fussing with them. Many a fine litter has been 
reduced or lost altogether by the well-intended but misplaced kindness of the 
keeper. They do, however, require to have a good, clean pen, where they 
can sleep in comfort without exposure to the excesses of cold or heat; dry, 
moderately warm and ventilated in winter, cool and airy in summer. In 
such quarters the sow should have been kept for several weeks before farrow- 
ing. Here the pigs will afterwards learn to resort, and here they should be 
fed as soon as they have learned to eat, at regular hours during the day, so 
long as they are with the sow. At weaning time the sow may be taken away 
and the pigs will miss her less than if they themselves are placed in new 
quarters and compelled to rely entirely on the feed provided for them. 

When a sow has more pigs than she has teats, the most unpromising 
should be sacrificed for the good of the others, for each youngster will claim 
a particular teat as his own, and will fight valiantly for its possession. What- 
ever number of teats a sow may have, she will soon cease to give milk from 
all except those in use. If, on the other hand, the pigs are in excess, the 
weaker ones will suffer and eventually drop off altogether, unless fed in some 



THE SWINE BREEDER S MA NUAL. 



other way. In case a number of sows have littered about the same time, 
some having more than they can suckle and others less than they might rear, 
the pigs may be so divided among them as to allow each a fair chance of 
fulfilling a useful destiny. And herein will be needed the patience of the 
manager. Instead of only two parties to the bargain, we have three to be 
consulted in such a case. The sow will not usually admit, without protest, a 
new comer to her little family ; the new pig would naturally prefer to remain 
with his own fellows; worse than all, the pigs to whom the little stranger is 
introduced are very sure to give him anything but a kindly welcome. These 
changes should therefore be made at once, and at night, while the pigs are 
quite young. The so\\s, with their respective litters, should be placed out of 
hearing of each other, and the little pigs so confined for a day or two that 
they may not stray away. Care should be taken also to so mark them that 
their parentage may not be forgotten. 

Twelve pigs are as many as any sow ought to be required to raise at one 
time. A young sow with her first litter may be considered as doing well to 
bring up six or eight; older sows will rear eight or ten profitably. Moderate- 
sized litters usually prove the most satisfactory. The pigs make a better 
growth and the sow is less worried and exhausted. When, however, the pigs are 
early taught to eat, and it is practicable t* give them plentiful supplies of 
milk and other good feed, so that they may depend less on the sow for their 
support, larger litters are desirable. If extra feed is thus given to help them 
along, the same kind should be given the sow; for if she have one diet and 
the pigs another, the latter will almost surely be taken with the scours and 
thus thrown into bad condition, from which they may be a long time in 
recovering. Breeders often boast of the wonderful prolificacy of their brood- 
sows, but they seldom afterwards report results in avoirdupois from these 
large litters. Some, however, are glad to have from twelve to fifteen or more 
come in a litter in order that they may cull out the weak ones and thereby 
have the balance grow up strong and more even in size. But we would rather 
have a less number, and those of uniform size, to start with, and we believe 
that this uniformity is more certain to occur in the moderate-sized litters than 
in those where th^pigs are remarkably numerous. 

THE PIGS AT WEANING TIME. 
The age at which the pigs should be weaned will vary from eight to twelve 
weeks, according to the season, the age or condition of the dam and the time 
at which it is desired she shall farrow again. Whether it is best to pen the 
sow away from the pigs or to confine the latter at weaning time will also 
depend on circumstances. Usually it is better for the pigs, that they be al- 
lowed to run out as they had before. For some reasons this is better also 
for the sow, as by having her penned alone her diet can be more readily con- 
trolled so as to the sooner lessen the flow of milk. But on the other hand, 
young pigs when thus turned loose sometimes display a wonderful amount 
of enterprise and are provokingly in the way at times and places quite unex- 
pected. Search for their dam leads them to try holes in fences which they 
would not otherwise have thought ot passing through, and thus before we 
are aware they have the run of the entire farm. 



THE SWINE BREEDER'S MANUAL. 



Ground corn, wheat bran and shipstuff, or middlings, as the latter is 
sometimes called, in equal parts, make good feed for pigs at this time. 
Ground oats, when it can be had, in place of the wheat bran, would be an 
improvement. All should be mixed, with a little salt added, then scalded 
with hot water and left to stand until cool enough to feed. If the conven- 
iences for scalding or cooking cannot be had the feed may be soaked with 
water for a day or more, according to the weather — that is, just long enough 
for it to become slightly sour. If the pigs can have skimmed milk besides 
^t will be all the better for them. This in abundance, with ground corn in 
moderation, will bring them along finely. Corn alone would make them too 
fat and would not furnish the growth producing material needed at this age* 
and which is well supplied by the skimmed milk. When, however, milk can- 
not be had, the bran and shipstuff answer for a substitute. Oil meal is also 
""ecommended as a good addition to the rations. So also pea-meal and 
cooked potatoes. 

Although it is often common to look upon pigs as ravenous young glut- 
tons ready to devour almost anything, and in fabulous quantities, if un- 
restrained, yet, in reality their stomachs are about as easily disordered by 
improper diet as are those of any other animals. To keep them growing 
right along without injury at tlys time, no sudden change should be made 
in the kind ot feed given them. That which they are expected to live upon 
a week after they are taken from the dam, they should have become accus- 
tomed to eat a week before being taken away. It is important the pigs be 
fed often, that is, not less than five times a day for the first week or two, but 
each time so much only as they will eat up clean. 

While with the dam their food supplies were taken in small amounts and 
at short intei"vals, and now when being weaned they should not be allowed 
to become unduly hungry. A pig's stomach is not large enough to take in 
at one time more good wholesome food than will last him for three or four 
hours. If from neglect or other cause young pigs get very hungry, they are 
apt at the next feeding to eat so fast and so greedily as to sicken and gag 
before they have really taken as much as they ought to have. When older 
they may be fed less frequently, particularly if they have the run of a good 
pasture or clover lot. 

Much in the details of management at this age will depend upon the 
time of the year and the surroundings under which the pigs are reared. Jt 
would hardly be possible to produce in writing a formula of management so 
well calculated to bring successful results, as must be the unwritten, but ex- 
perience-bought knowledge and skill of one who takes delight in rearing and 
feeding young stock. We may be accused of laziness because, when we throw 
a basket of weeds from the garden into the adjoining yard for the pig, we 
stop in the shade to see which they like the best, instead of rushing off 
through the hot sun for another supply. But it is well not only to thus in- 
form ourselves as to the likes and dislikes of the animals under our care, but 
to notice also how they thrive from day to day. If we can not afford to look 
after them in this way or have some faithful person do it for us, we can not 
afford to keep improved stock at all. A watchful eye and a thoughtful mind 
are needed here as well as in any other business where success is to be 



reached. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



THE SIRE IS HALF THE HERD, 

The importance of using only full-bloods as sires is often insisted on by 
writers on the subject of breeding. The following diagram may assist parties 
of less experience to a better understanding of the matter and enable them 
to see at a glance the results to be expected : 



( Full-blood 

} ( Full-blood 

< ^- blood i ( Full-blood 

(}4-blood \ 



Scrub 



On the right we have the pair with which we are supposed to begin 
breeding, viz: a full-blood male and a scrub female. 

To the left of these we have their produce, that is, a half-blood female, 
which we breed to another full-blood male, the result being a ^-blood fe- 
male. This in turn bred to a full-blood male gives us on the left a ^g-blood 
female. She, if bred to a full-blood male, would give a 15-16, and by con- 
tinuing the same course we would next have a 31-32. Granting that the influ- 
of the sire and dam are equal, and that half the blood of each is represented 
in the progeny, it is evident that a sire will give half the character to the 
produce of the herd in which he is alone used. Practically, however, the in- 
fluence of well-bred sires usually predominates over that of grade dams, so 
that in fact the improvement is generally greater than would be inferred from 
the figures here given. 

Breeding in the manner shown might be continued indefinitely until no 
trace of the scrub stock could be detected. Suppose farmers and breeders 
everywhere should use only full-blood sires, what a rapid advance would be 
made in the improvement of our domestic animals. But farmers do not all 
do this, and perhaps they never will. On the contrary they persist in using 
half-bloods and high-grades as sires. 

It often happens tnat a tew crosses only, with tull-blood sires on scrub 
stock, will result in gritde progeny which, to all appearance, are as good and 
pure-bred as those of very many more crosses. When put to the test how- 
ever as breeders, they almost invariably show their own low origin in their 
progeny. The trace ot scrub stock which could in no other way be detected, 
is generally revealed by ihc interior stock produced. 

The following diagram ahows the usual result of the common method of 

using half-blood sires; 

fPuU-blood 
tX-t>lood { 
Scrubl! } (Scrub 

I Scrub 

First the farmer buys a full-blood male which he breeds to a scrub fe- 
male. He selects from their progeny a male, which is of course a half-blood, 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



and this he breeds to another scrub female. He gets as the result something 
more like scrub stock than any improvement he had expected, so that instead 
of having made any progress he finds himself back at his starting point. 
All he has made by the purchase of a full-blood male is, that in the first 
cross he got some extra fine feeding animals. His mistake was in selecting 
a male from these for breeding purposes. Had he retained one or more of 
the best females and bred them to a new full blood male, he would have been 
oa the advance as shown by the first diagram. 

So long as farmers persist in using half-bloods and grades as sires, so long 
will they be pulling down almost as fast as professional and amateur breeders 
can build up. 

SELECTINLr AND REARING BROOD SOWS. 

A brood sow should be a good milker. However good in other respects, 
ii deficient in this, she shQuld hardly be retained as a breeder. An abund- 
anci of milk for the first eight or ten weeks of their existence is the best 
preparation young pigs can have to fit them for profitable growth in after 
life. It is not always possible to decide with certainty whether or not a 
young sow will prove to be a good milker, but as with cows, so with pigs, we 
may learn from observation and trial to know in some degree, judging from 
their general appearance, what to expect. Much will depend upon the dam 
and grand-dam in this regard. Milking qualities in swine are as surely trans- 
missible to progeny as in cattle. Thus it is as true of swine as of cattle that 
this trait may be greatly improved by retaining only good milkers for breed- 
ers, as well as by feeding them when young with a view to their development 
as milk producers rather than as fat producers. For this reason spring and 
early summer litters are usually the best from which to select young brood 
sows. They can be kept through the summer almost entirely on grass, 
which if abundant and in variety, will make them grow nicely, and at the 
same time the exercise required in grazing will keep them in good health and 
thrift. By the time the cold weather comes on and corn is to be fed, they 
will have become nearly old and large enough for service. But even after 
this, continued care should be taken that too much corn or other fat-produc- 
ing teed should not be given them. We must, however, bear in mind that 
at this period all animals naturally lay up fat which afterwards goes to en- 
rich the milk. Hence, while they should not be allowed to become over-fat, 
they should yet be so fed as to supply this demand of nature, and to retain 
the general health and vigor of the system. 

When they have dropped their first litter the most they will need for the 
first five or eight days will be cooling drinks and very little rich feed. Wheat 
bran scalded and then thinned with cold water, to which may be added a 
handful of shipstuff or middling, may be given. In ten days or two weeks 
the richness of the feed may be gradually increased, great care being taken 
however both as to the quality and quantity that these changes may not in- 
jure the health of the sow, or so affect her milk as to cause scours in the pigs. 
It is a very common mistake in feeding sows having young pigs to give them 
too much strong teed when the pigs are quite young. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAI« II 



It is not until the pigs are some tnree or tour weeks old that they really 
begin to tax the sow heavily. Then it is that the sow should be liberally and 
regularly fed on good nutritious milk-producing feed, and at the same time 
the young pigs should be taught to eat by themselves at a trough out of the 
reach of the sow. If thus managed, both sow and pigs are benefited. The 
strength of the former is kept up, and her disposition to produce an abund- 
ance of good rich milk so encouraged as to fix this as one of the best traits of 
her nature ; while the pigs, by the extra feed given them, make a correspond- 
ing rapid growth, and that at a comparatively small cost. 

Young sows brought up In the manner suggested, and thus cared for 
with their first litters, may be depended on to do as well or better with their 
next, provided they have anything like fair treatment. In case, however, a 
sow fails to prove herself a good milker, after a fair trial, she should be re- 
placed by one of better promise, unless for some special purpose it is thought 
best to retain her. 

WHY BERKSHIRES ARE PREFERRED. 

They have been known for a far greater length of time than any other 
breed of swine now claiming attention. They are more perfectly adapted to 
universal use than any other. They are more widely disseminated through- 
out the world and are reared in larger numbers in the great pork-producing 
regions than any other breed. As the Berkshire usually heads the list, he 
also forms the standard of comparison. The height of one man's ambition 
is to produce a hog that is heavier than the Berkshire; of another, one that 
will feed as well: or one that is as prolific and hardy; or that will graze as 
well; or that will produce as fine hams and bacon; or in some one or more 
ways resemble the Berkshire — the pattern hog — the first that fills the eye of 
nearly every man who turns his attention to the rearing of swine. If popu- 
larity is claimed for any other breed, it is in comparison with that of the 
Berkshire. If size is mentioned it is as larger or smaller than the Berkshire. If 
color, it is said to resemble or to differ from, as the case may be, the Berkshire. 
If form of head or body, carrriage of ear or other points are spoken of, the 
comparison in each case is with the Berkshire. And finally, in noting the 
composition of some of the newer breeds, the source whence their best blood 
and most praiseworthy points are derived is usually said to be the Berkshire. 

THE BERKSHIRE FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. 

Of all our breeds of swine, I do not hesitate to place the Berkshire 
in the very front rank for general purposes, as a cross from him on any 
other always results in an improvement, while he is sure to be deteri- 
orated if any other breed is used upon him Then for the particular purpose 
of obtaining extra choice hams and shoulders for smoking, and side pieces 
for bacon, of a tender, lean, iuicy quality, no other breed of swine within my 
knowledge can be compared to him. So highly esteemed had the Berkshire 
become in our country, and so great the wealth and prosperity, especially 
in the wide pork regions of the West, that was certain to follow from keep- 
ing up his peculiar good qualities and perpetuating them in purity, that on 
February 35th, 1875, ^^ associaton of enterprising and enlightened breeders 



12 THE SWINE BREEDER S MANUAL. 



was formed at Springfield, Illinois, to more fully insure this desideratum. It 
took the name of the American Berkshire Association, was incorporated 
March iSth, 1879, ^^^ fixed its headquarters at Springfield, Illinois, electing 
a president and other necessary officers, * * * The Association 

proceeded to get up a Herd Book for the record of pedigrees, the first volume 
of which was published in May, 1S76. This has been succeeded by Volumes 
If., III. and IV., and with these are incorporated in their introductions, val- 
uable prize essays of the history of Berkshires, the best method of breeding 
and rearing, as also that of the prevention of disease and of treating it when- 
ever happening to occur. — A. B. Allen t» Rural Ne-w- Yorker, 

THE IMPROVED BERKSHIRES 

Of the present day are a well-defined breed, possessing in an eminent degree 
definite and valuable qualities, and may be described as follows: Body color, 
black, with smooth, pliable, plum-colored skin ; hair rather fine, soft, and 
thick; feet and tip of tail white, with dash of white in face, and not unfre- 
quently the nose white, as also some white on jowl ; forehead and face broad, 
the latter dished, with eyes rather large and very clear, and snout short; 
ears of medium size, thin and very soft, and carried rather upright; neck 
short, broad on top, with jowl large and full ; shoulders broad on top, and 
deep through fhe chest; back broad; sides deep, and nearly straight on bot- 
tom line; hams large, reaching well forward on back and down on hock, 
well rounded and deep through, causing the legs to stand well apart; these, 
as well as the forelegs, short and strong, and standing well on the toes; tail 
tapering and rather fine, and set well up. In general form, a modern well- 
bred Berkshire, in good condition, is symmetrical throughout, attractive in 
appearance, and recognized at once as an animal of more than ordinary 
worth. 

IMPROVING COMMON SWINE. 

/ 

For the purpose of improving the common swine of the country, no 
other hog can be used to better advantage, or with greater certainty of good 
results than the Berkshire. Having descended from so long a line of pure- 
bred ancestors, he possesses in an unrivaled degree the power to stamp upon 
his progenj' his own excellencies of form and feeding capacity, as well as 
vigor of constitution, which includes ability to resist the encroachments of 
disease. Hence he is in almost constant use for the improvement of common 
hogs. 

THE MOST SALEABLE ANIMALS. 

Breeders who have taken the care to keep their herds in good condition 
the past year, and have had their stock recorded, are already seeing the ad- 
vantages of such a course. Asa rule now beginners enquire for and pur- 
chase "herd-book" animals. They aim and start out right in this impor- 
tant respect at least. Care and judgment in other respects are • likewise 
needed, but in these times no amount of ability and tact as a breeder can 
compensate for a willful neglect of the almost universal desire on the part 
of buyers that they sliall be reliably informed as to the manner in which the 
animals they purchase were bred. 



THK SWINK breeder's MANUAL. 



13 



SHALL WE RING THE HOGS? 

Experience teaches that the ringing of hogs when properly done, and 
done at the right time is an advisable measure. The assertion sometimes 
made that hogs, it habitually allowed to run at large, will not injure meadows 
or pastures by rooting when turned upon them, cannot be relied on. They 
may, for awhile, behave themselves very well, and roam a pasture for weeks, 
scarcely turning a sod. Seeing this the owner is satisfied in his own mind 
that rings may be dispensed with, when soon after, having ceased to 
watch them, the rascals from some unaccountable reason begin rooting and 
in a short time will have done more damage, times over, than it would have 
cost to ring them. Such experience as this leads to the conclusion that the 
safest way is to use the rings whenever hogs are allowed to range where 
their rooting would be an injury. 

The continuous use of rings the year round or their use on swine of all 
ages and sizes is not advised. In the spring of the year they are generally 
the most needed. If hogs that were treated to rings in the spring are still on 
hand in the fall, it is usually best to remove the rings, particularly if the 
hogs are turned on the mast or are expected to follow cattle in feed lots or 
stalk fields. 

It sometimes happens that a valuable brood sow acquires such bad 
h abits as lifting gates or breaking fences. A couple of rings in the nose of 
such an animal will put her on good behavior the most effectually of any- 
thing ever tried. So also a sow that is vicious or cross to other hogs; a 
good ring in her nose will prove to be a wonderful tamer. A stock boar, if 
inclined to be unruly should be treated the same way. 

Of the different kinds of patent hog rings before the public, it may be 
said they are all good enough, some, perhaps, being more easily applied and 
lasting longer than others. Of those not patented a new horse-shoe nail or 
a piece of common No. 12 wire makes a verj' good and cheap ring, and one 
readily used with the help of a double-edged awl or common punch for 
making the holes in the rim of the snout and a pair of small pinchers for 
closing the rings after being inserted. ^ 

GUARDING AGAINST DISEASE. 

When men, in the handling of swine, fail to observe the most simple 
and common sense rules of health and run after patent medicines and adver- 
tised specifics for the treatment of hog diseases, they usually get just what 
they deserve ^disappointment and loss. 

The man whose stock is already dying, can, however, in a measure, be 
excused for this, even when there is reason to believe his losses come from 
filth and his neglect in the care of his stock. He perhaps knows no better, 
and seeing death's work about him, is ready to invest in any highly recom- 
mended nostrum that is offered, saying "They are dying anyhow, and the 
proposed remedy can do no harm.'' There is, therefore, some excuse for the 
man thus situated; bot for any man of ordinary intelligence, who knows 
that good air, good feed, good water and proper exercise are the best 
guaranties of good health, it seems utterly in excusable that he should be led 



14 THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



into the false belief that when his stock is well some specific remedy will 
assist in fortifying it against any particular disease which may be abroad in 
the land. The truth is, there is no drug or medical preparation that can be 
given stock when in good health, that will protect it from disease, and all 
money spent for such is clear loss. In case an animal is actually- attacked 
by disease, some proved or well recommended remedy may be used; that 
which in a state of health would have been poison to the system may in this 
case be an antidote for the poison of disease already there. It is a mere 
chance, however, that any patent medicine or advertised cure- all will prove 
effective of good. These are usually gotten up on the general average prin- 
ciple, after the manner of determining insurance tables, though never with 
anything like the accuracy found in the latter. 

The only certainty about well advertised medi cal discoveries and patent 
remedies is that they will find buyers in every community. No sooner does 
one prove a failure than another is found ready to take its place, and a con- 
fiding public just as ready to give it a trial. It would seem that the wonderful 
curative powers claimed for some of these would arouse suspicions of their 
worthlessness,but instead of this men are ever found ready to buy and use them 
as preventives of disease. Money spent in this way is worse than squandered, 
for anything thus used injures the blood and is therefore poison to the 
system, which by the presence of such poison is more or less weakened and 
thereby made more liable to the prevailing malady against which we would 
guard. Hence, spend no money for specifics with which to dose your hogs, 
but if need be for disinfectants and in providing clean quarters and whole- 
some feed whereby they may be kept in a thriving condition. This will 
prove the best safe-guard against disease. 

WELL FED AND WELL BRED. 

To a great extent, much of the success in the handling of swine depends 
on the manner of feeding. A good illustration of this maybe seen in the fol- 
k)w5ng statement contrasting the management in two herds within half a 
day's drive the one of the other: 

«< A was an old hand at the business of breeding Berkshires, who 

had long been handling some of the best strains in the country, and had in 
the course of years established a strain of his own, and prided himself on the 
certainty with which it bred pigs of uniform excellence. 

" A few years ago he selected for his owm use two choice sow pigs from a 
litter of this strain. One of these — the second choice — he afterwards sold, 
when in farrow, to a friend in an adjoining county. The new 6wner, a novice 
in the business, allowed the breeder of whom he bought, to select a choice 
BOW pig from the litter, and to breed her when of proper age to one of his 
own boars. This sow, one of the largest well formed Berkshires I ever saw, 
now has at her side a litter of as pretty pigs as any one could wish so have. 
They, their dam and their grand-dam, all show that they ' have the stock in 
them,' and are consequently a credit to the mind that directed the breeding 
and to their owner who has given them su ch good care. The latter having 
but iew pigs to look after has alwaj" ^d these well, giving them good pasture 



l-ttS SWtNH BRKEDKR*S MANUAL. I5 



in summer and comfortable quarters during winter. In this case the two 
essentials to success were complied with, viz. : good breeding and good feed- 
ing, the end being the very satisfactory results now seen. 

"To prove how very important a part the feeding had in this instance I 
need only say that the best of the two sows — the one kept by the breeder at 
the time he concluded to part with the second choice — cannot now, with her 
progeny^ begin to compare with her sister and her progeny in size and form 
and feeding capacity. Apparently she was never very well taken care of, 
having been allowed to produce two litters a year, and left to rear these 
as best she could without being well fed herself, or her pigs being early 
taught to eat from a trough so as to hasten their growth and at the same 
time spare their dam. Perhaps one reason for this lack of attention may 
have been that the owner of this neglected sow had more on hand than he 
could properly take care of; consequently a part had to suffer, and as it 
happened, this branch of the strain was slighted. Fortunately, however, the 
other branch falling into other hands and receiving better treatment, has 
fully sustained the reputation of the stock, and now stands a living illustra- 
tration of the trnth that good breeding must be backed with good feeding.'' 

While it is true, as shown by the above, that proper care and good 
feeding are essential to success in the management of swine, it must not be 
forgotten that without ejood stock at bottom, the most approved methods of 
feeding cannot avail in the production of the best results. The finest hams 
and bacon, at the least cost to the producer, are to be had only by the use of 
well bred animals. 

QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY. 

An over production of any given article of trade or commerce usually 
causes a reduction in price. Hence those who count their wealth by the 
quantity standard are not infrequently sadly disappointed when at the final 
reckoning of the profits for the season they find them much less than they 
had expected. It is well therefore that all who would keep on the safe side 
for success should bear in mind that although the demand for quantity may be 
more than supplied, that for quality is seldom if ever fully met. As a rule 
the better grades of manufactured articles, as well as live stock, always meet 
with ready sale. To produce the best animals for the purpose they are 
designed, should be the aim of every true breeder. He who succeeds in this 
will scarcely fail of a two-fold reward — the satisfaction of seeing improved 
stock about him, and of receiving good prices for what he may have to sell, 

STUDY THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 

The Standard of Excellence as adopted by the American Berkshire Asso- 
ciation, and published in Volume II. of the Record, was the result of the 
combined judgments of the leading breeders of Berkshire swine. Beginners 
in Berkshire breeding, who wish to start right and secure that uniform ex- 
cellence in their stock which always betokens the skillful breeder, should 
study the Standard. When they can show hogs that fill its requirements 
perfectly, they will find thetnselve* r^t^d among the foremost breeders of 
th« d»j. 



l6 THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



IN-BREEDING AND CLOSE-BREEDING. 



In discussing questions of breeding much has been written of no practi- 
cal value because of the loose application of terms used in describing the 
different kinds ot breeding. For example, one who has seen poor results 
from the breeding of a sire to his own offspring, proceeds to condemn the 
practice of in-breeding — so called. Another, who has been more fortunate 
in the mating of a sire to his get, argues that close-breeding is safe and ad- 
vantageous. A third, who has met with disappointment in the breeding to- 
gether of pigs of the same litter, expresses himself as not a believer in close- 
breeding— so called,— while a fourth, having made " a capital hit " by such a 
course, concludes that in-breeding is not so bad as he had been led to sup- 
pose. 

From the indiscriminate use made in these statements of the terms ««- 
breeding dLixd close-breeding^ one would suppose they were synonymous; but 
such is not the case, although writers on stock-breeding have very gener- 
ally used them as if they had a common meaning. In-breeding is the mat- 
ing together of animals of the same parentage, that is, brother and sister. 
Close-breeding is the mating together of parent and offspring. That two 
such distinct methods of breeding should not be designated by synonymous 
terms is a matter worthy of some consideration. 

If two animals are bred together we are supposed to have in the offspring 
a combination of half the blood or characteristics of each. If the sire and 
dam are of different parentage, dissimilar blood is brought together in the 
offspring, making what is generally known as a direct cross. If sire and dam 
are of the same parentage, the same blood is reproduced. This is what we 
understand to be in-breeding, or as Noah Webster has it, "breeding in-and- 
in," and which in former editions of his " Unabridged " is defined as '• breed- 
ing from animals of the same parentage." In the direct cross we change for 
better or worse, as the most prepotent parent is good or bad, and upon 
the judgment of the breeder in this matter depends in this case his success. 

By breeding in-and-in no change of blood is made, therefore no change 
in the character of the offspring would ordinarily be expected. Experience, 
however, has shown that in the most of our domestic animals changes do oc- 
cur; though not so much in form or family likeness as in the general weak- 
ening of constitutional vigor. Hence this course is usually considered ob- 
jectionable. 

Besides the two well defined methods above mentioned we have a 
third, viz. : close-breeding, or the breeding of parent with offspring. Here 
we have represented in the progeny in the second generation, three-fourths 
of the blood of one grand parent and one-fourth of the blood of the other. 
The chances in this case for variation in character are evidently greater than 
by the in-breeding method; the proportions of original blood being three to 
one. Here, too, as in the breeding together of animals of different parent- 
age, the careful and intelligent breeder finds opportunity for the trial ' of 
his skill. 



THE SWINK breeder's MANUAL. 17 



When we come to inquire more particularly into the details of any 
given instance of breeding from animals nearly related, we will very gener- 
ally find that where success has been the result, the case has been one of 
close-breeding. That is, breeding of parent with offspring. For example, a 
correspondent mentions a plain case of close-breeding, although he calls it 
in-breeding. He says; " In-breeding has been strongly condemned by most 
writers, although I have always practiced it in both cattle and sheep. I now 
have a heifer seven months old, not easily excelled, at least in this section, 
and the dam and sire were mother and son. I bred in that way for the 
reason that he was the best bull to be found, and his sire was from the same 
cow. Now that is certainly in-breeding, and the stock is fine throughout," 
Here then is a heifer said to be '* not easily excelled," and her excellence 
credited to in-breeding, when the truth of the matter is she excels because 
she has seven-eighths of the blood of her great grand dam, an animal no 
doubt of more than ordinary excellence. Had this heifer really been an in- 
bred animal, no such accumulation of the blood of one ancestor in three 
generations could have occurred. 

Close-breeding is by no means unusual, it being often resorted to where 
permanence of type is desired. The general course is to breed sire to his 
own get, as in the case of Othello's Sallie 207S, Vol. II. A. B. R., bred by 
Russell Sanwick. She was got by Othello 259 and out of Sallie VIII. 2060; 
she also got by Othello 259. Thus 2078 would be three-fourths Othello 
blood. 

That there is practically a very great difference between in-breeding and 
close-breeding there can be no doubt. Why, therefore, should not each 
method be known by a term readily distinguished from the other. Would 
not reports of success or failure in either convey more information, and 
thereby be of more practical value to readers ? If it is worth while to at- 
tempt growing two blades of grass where only one now grows, may it not 
be well to so formulate our knowledge that expression may be given to our 
views and experiences in plain and definite language ? In-breeding is a 
short way of saying "breeding from animals of the same parentage." Close- 
breeding is a short expression for " breeding of parent with offspring." 



BERKSHIRE NOSES. 

WHICH ARE PREFERABLE, LONG OR SHORT? 

•' My impression is that short snouts do not belong to Berkshires, and in 
the endeavor to obtain them, too much fineness, loss of size, and want of 
constitution are the results. Am I right?" 

So asks a correspondent, and I answer him: "Yes, if by short snouts 
you mean the turned-up pug-noses characteristic of the Small White York- 
shires." Byway of explanation, it may be said that such noses will do for 
sty pigs that are expected to scoop their feed from a trough, and then lay in 
^he shade until the next feeding time. Pigs of this kind have their use 



l8 THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



and are profitable to rear in many places where the surroundings are suitable. 
Berkshires, however, are of a different class. Their glory is in their fitness 
for the production of the choicest of smoked bacon, and the best of hams 
and shoulders, such as can be made only from well-marbled meats; and 
these, be it remembered, do not come from the slow, quiet, fat-accumulating 
breeds, but from those of a more active nature, prompting them to exercise, 
whereby muscle is developed, and at the same time a reasonable degree of 
fatness is acquired. 

It is this active nature in Berkshires which commends them to cattle 
feeders and farmers generally. When turned into stalk-fields or feeding lots 
with cattle there is little danger of their being trampled or otherwise injured ; 
or, if allowed a good clover pasture, they will thrive and get fat on it alone, 
while other breeds of less muscular power will lie in the shade and grow thin, 
unless corn or other good feed is carried to them. Moreover, the best 
Berkshires grow to a larger size than is usual with the pug-nosed pigs. The 
wild hog of Europe is said to attain the weight, when full grown, of from 
four to six hundred pounds, and the meat is usually very fine and palat- 
able, but the aptitude to fatten is inferior. 

The excellent meat of the wild hog is doubtless due to his habits of life, 
which induce great muscular development. He roams the forest, and sub- 
sists on beech and chestnuts, or acorns and roots of various kinds. In secur- 
ing these he must needs use his snout, and this, as might be expected, is well 
enough developed to meet the requirements of the case. 

The modern Berkshires of the best approved strains are of large size, 
and possess, with due allowance for domestication, the high vitality and 
active habits of the wild hog, combined with the good digestive and assimi- 
lating powers which characterize all improved breeds. The only valuable 
improvements made in Berkshires during the last lOO years or more have 
been those obtained by judicious selections of breeding stock, and improved 
methods of feeding and management. Wherever attempts have been made 
to improve by crossing with the Neapolitan or the Essex, the results have 
been a loss of constitutional vigor and hardiness, and that fine quality of 
flesh, tender, juicy, and nicely marbled with fat and lean, from which are 
manufactured the best hams and shoulders known in the markets of the 
world. 

In the pug-nosed pigs we see the tendency to excessive fatness, which is 
not desirable, unless they are intended for making into salt fat pork for bar- 
reling. If this be the object of their keeping, the extreme fattening pro- 
pensity and the accompanying very quiet disposition are not objectionable. 

In speaking thus in favor of long snouts in Berkshires, it is not intended 
that one animal should be preferred before another, apparently equal in other 
respects, because of his snout being longer. As above suggested, improve- 
ments upon the original Berkshires of many years ago have been made by 
selection and feeding. In feeding, for example, we now find the best man- 
aged herds well supplied with clover and rich grasses, as well as fed on various 
grains, roots, and mixed slops, as convenience naay suggest. A long snout 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. I9 

for rooting among forest leaves and grubbing roots is no longer heeded. 
Hence, other points being equal, we select, as breeders, such as when ready 
for market will make less offal in this regard. But even in modifying the 
breed by selection, we may go to the extreme of unfitting it for that degree 
of active life found necessary for a proper muscular development, the very 
feature for which the breed is so highly prized. 

We admire in a Berkshire a broad forehead and face, the latter some- 
what dished, and the snout rather short; but we do not particularly object to 
one, good in other respects, that has a snout a trifle longer than is often seen 
in the pictures, particularly if the jowl and underline are good. We would 
much prefer such a pig to one with a short, turned-up nose that will catch 
rain like a pair of funnels unless tucked between the fore legs. Besides, the 
long-nosed pig is less apt to choke or wheeze itself to death than the other. 

In regard to Berkshire noses, Hon. A. B. Allen, of New York, in a pri- 
vate letter says: "I prefer them as in portrait of Windsor Castle, (See 
Volume IV. American Berkshire Record) and thin on the jowls. But tastes 
differ as to these, and I say let each one follow his own fancy in breeding." 

THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 

HOW TO APPLY THE SCALE OF POINTS. 

The question is sometimes asked, "To what extent does a black tail 
disqualify a Berkshire that is otherwise of good quality ?" 

Turning to the "Standard of Excellence," in Vol. II. of the American 
Berkshire Record, we find the Berkshire described in color as follows : " Black, 
with white on feet, face, tip of tail and an occasional splash on the arm." 
The value attached to these markings is four points in one hundred. A Berk- 
shire, therefore, with four nicely marked feet, white in face and tip of tail 
white, would score four points for these markings. 

Supposing that these four points of value may be equally divided among 
the six actual points of location, viz. : four white feet, face and tip of tail, 
we have the worth of each of these as two-thirds of one point. Calculating 
in this way a black tail would disqualify a Berkshire less than one point in 
one hundred points of value. It is evident, however, that the makers of the 
standard never intended it to be applied in this way, for if these color points 
in Berkshires are worth anything at all they are worth more than is given them 
by this method of calculation. 

The true application of the standard, therefore, must be, not to reckon 
these color points separately, and deduct porportionately for the absence of 
any one or more of them, but to require that all be present, and then score 
them as a whole in accordance with the perfection in which they are shown 
in the animal being judged. For example, a pig with three evenly marked 
white feet and one that can hardly be called white at all, or with the white 
extending much further up the leg than the others, should not be rated as per- 
fect in color points as one in which all four feet were nicely and evenly 



20 THE SWINE BREEDER'S MANUAL. 

marked. So, also, a pig with nearly half the tail white, should not score equaj 
with one marked as required by the standard. 

That this is the correct way of using the standard of excellence is shown 
by the mention of "an occasional splash on the arm." This is merely allow- 
able, it is not an essential. At the time the standard was made, black tails 
were as frequent as white on the arm, but the standard does not say ** tip of tail 
white, or occasionally black/' We understand that it is always to be white, 
and a pig not thus marked should be disqualified at once. So, also, should a 
pig with one or more black feet, or a black face. If the standard is thus in- 
terpreted, its application in actual judging is made practicable, and when so 
used it is a valuable help in fixing the characteristic markings of the breed. 

It has been noted as a marvel of perseverance, patience and skill on the 
part of the breeder, that he has given to the Berkshire of the present day 
these handsome markings. Is not, however, much of the success in this 
direction due to some natural law of embryonic development which tends 
to leave the extremities white, as in Hereford cattle and Clydesdale horses, 
and even tops and bottoms white also, as in the Herefords; or, in some 
light colored breeds, darker than the body color, as in Jersey cattle and 
Southdown sheep? At all events there is no doubt that white points in 
Berkshires may be very readily maintained if breeders will agree that black 
faces, black feet and black tails shall not be allowed in the breeding pens. 
Well-bred, well-formed and well-marked stock is now so abundant that in the 
effort to perpetuate the color marks there is no necessity for a selection so 
rigid as to cause the loss of any of the useful qualities for which Berkshires 
are particularly prized. 

Among the Berkshires exhibited at the late Royal Agricultural Show in 
England were some not well marked in color. One especially was noted as 
"a good pig, but too black, /. e., .wanting the white markings on face and 
tail, although he had a dash of white down at the feet." Similar objection 
was made to one of a pair of sows, otherwise good. In reporting these the 
London Live Stock Journal says: "The color fancy may be carried too 
far, and it does not at all follow that the hams or flitches of a nearly self- 
colored pig should be inferior to those of a pig of the most approved mark- 
ing; yet, inasmuch as certain markings are held to be characteristic of cer- 
tain breeds, and are possibly correlated to the special qualities of those breeds, 
we cannot quite afford to give away such externals." 

There seems to be no doubt that the absence of white points in 
Berkshires is often the result of a distant cross with another breed. These 
variations in color, although the most noticeable, are not always the most 
objectionable results of cross breeding, and they too, as variations in form 
or other important features, may not appear at once, and consecutively from 
one generation to another, but may remain latent for a time, cropping out 
often in individual animals of noticeable excellence or beauty in every other 
respect. We are therefore inclined to agree with those breeders who insist 
that a pig not having the color marks called for by the standard of excel- 
lence should be altogether disqualified. 



THE SWINE BREEDERS MANUAL. 21 



AT WHAT AGE SHOULD SOW PIGS BE BRED? 

As a rule, joung sows should not be bred at an earlier age than eight or 
ten months. They will then have their first litters when they are twelve or 
fourteen months old. This general rule is subject to numerous variations, 
and for obvious reasons. 

Many sows are bred when they are quite young because their owners 
have not the patience to wait until they are better grown. Besides it is 
troublesome to keep open sows safe from the boar when they are in season. 
Those, however, of the smaller and earlier maturing breeeds may often, 
without disadvantage, be allowed to breed when younger than others. 

Unusually large or coarse sows are sometimes bred at an early age with 
a view to their becoming finer in form as they approach maturity. But with 
this fineness there is apt to be an impaired constitution in the sow and a 
lack of strength and vigor in the pigs. 

It is thought by some that the earlier young sows are bred the better 
milkers they will become. Close observation, however, leads to the belief 
that no practical good is secured by such a course of management. Early 
breeding can never bring such marked improvement in the milking qualities 
of sows as may be secured by careful selection and proper feeding when 
young — see page lo. Adopting the latter course we are in line for im- 
provements in other directions, while by the former method serious injury is 
often done the young sows. Breeding at a very young age certainly retards 
their growth, and it is doubtful if they ever afterwards reach the size they 
would otherwise attain. 

The time of the year at which.it is desired the young pigs should come 
often determines the age at which the sows are bred. For example, those 
farrowed in October or November are often bred at less than eight months 
old in order that their pigs may come early as possible the following fall; for 
if not thus bred when quite young they must be kept from the boar until 
twelve months old or over, to avoid their having pigs very late in the fall or 
in the midst of winter. 

In selecting sow pigs for breeding we prefer those from early spring lit- 
ters. Such will have the advantage of their first summer's growth on grass, 
while at the same time they are given whatever grain or other feed, according 
to location, may be thought best for their highest physical development. 
If well kept until they are nine months old they may then be bred. They 
will then have their first litters at thirteen months of age, and at a time of 
the year when the young pigs with their dams can soon be put on grass and 
have the benefit of this and good weather for rapid and healthy growth. 

If the choice for breeding sows must be made from among pigs-ifar- 
rowed later in the spring, they may be bred at eight months old. Their pigs 
will then come when the sows are about a year old, bringing them as with 
the others to about the time grass starts in the spring. 

Young sows selected from summer litters may also be bred when eight 
or nine months old, but those from fall litters had better be kept from the 
boar until they are at least twelve months of age, as above mentioned. This 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



may seem a long time to wait, but such sows seldom fail to produce first 
class litters and to rear them well. In fact, some of the most successful 
breeders prefer that all their young sows, so far as practicable, shall not 
be bred until they are about a year old, so that they may not farrow until 
they are about sixteen months of age. 

For the Swine Breeder's Manual. 

BERKSHIRE SWINE IMPROVED BY A CROSS WITH THE 
NEAPOLITAN. 

I have seen this repeatedly asserted both by English and American writers ; 
but where is their authority for it? I deny this in toto, and anyone can see 
how absurd and false the assertion is by the following facts. 

Fit si, the old Berkshire breed of swine was improved and made as per- 
fect as at the present day, upwards of a century ago. For full particulars of 
this and their history, see my prize essay in Volume I. of the American 
Berkshire Record, pages ii to 14. 

Second. The first importation of Neapolitan swine into England of 
which I can find any account was made by the late Lord Western, in the year 
1830 or a year or two later. He used boars of this breed to cross on the 
old long, peaked nose, sharp-back, slab-sided and long-legged Essex of 
that day, and thus made the very perfect improved Essex which is continued 
to the present time. Now this, be it remembered, was many years later than 
the already perfect Berkshire. 

In the summer of 1841 I visited the estate, in Berkshire, of the 
Right Honorable Shaw LeFevre, then speaker of the House of Com- 
mons. He was subsequently raised to the peerage, with the title of Viscount 
Eversley. He had some very fine Neapolitan swine, and they had been 
crossed with a few Berkshires in his vicinity. This cross was not liked at all 
by good breeders, and did not spread to any extent so far as I know. The 
objections to it were, that the progeny had rough skins, which looked as if 
they had been daubed with tar; the flesh was too fat for good hams and 
bacon; and the pigs lacked size, vigor, hardiness and activity. I saw some 
of this cross in 1S42 which were imported into Kentucky, direct from Eng- 
land, via New Orleans. As the pigs grew up they were not liked at all by 
those who had purchased them, and I believe they were suffered to run out 
entirely, no good having ever come from them, as I have been informed. 

The cross of the Neapolitan was a fortunate one with the old unim- 
proved Essex, but with the Berkshire it was disastrous, and happily was not 
continued, at least by good breeders. 

I have seen it advised by a breeder of Essex swine in the United States, 
to cross the Essex on the Berkshire, to further improve them. I assert that 
such a cross would ruin them for making superior hams and bacon, and 
should on no account ever be made. If any one thinks it would be an im- 
provement, let him try it, and see how he comes out. The Essex is a valu- 
able breed for making fat pork for salting, and also to cross on the sharp- 
backed, long-legged, unimproved swine of America. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 23 



The Berkshire is perfection., for the purpose for which he is bred, and 
that is to produce the choicest of hams, shoulders, and bacon. Now let him 
alone. He can not be improved by crossing him with any other breed, but 
he can improve many other breeds in various ways by crossing him on them. 

There are some people, who, from ignorance or presumption, are eter- 
nally setting themselves up as improvers. If such will only study the excel- 
lent publications issued by the American Berkshire Association, and follow 
the advice given by them, they will be kept in the right path as to this super- 
excellent breed of swine, and be saved from all loss and regret at having at- 
tempted to make improvements for which they were totally unfitted and 
which indeed are impossible to be accomplished. 

A. B. ALLEN. 
New York, August 7 th, 1883. 

BETTER MANAGEMENT. 

The alarming mortality which has at times prevailed among swine in 
some parts of the country has not been without good results; since feeders 
and breeders have thereby been led to pay more attention to the sanitary 
welfare of their stock. Signs of improvement in this respect are seen in 
nearly every direction, in the adbption of better methods of rearing and 
fattening hogs, whereby greater profits are realized and a better quality of 
pork products placed on the market. 

The National Government, through the Department of Agriculture, has 
rendered the country a good service by its investigations into the causes of 
swine disease. The reports of the Commission show that swine are sub- 
ject to many different and distinctly marked diseases. The most of these 
are usually avoided where farmers and breeders are induced to adopt the best 
known methods of management. We cannot change the laws of nature, 
neither can we violate them with impunity. The best we can do is to study 
them carefully and profit by what they teach. 

The Department of Agriculture at Washington and the Boards of Agri- 
culture in the different States, as well as the agricultural press throughout 
the country, are all constantly at work gathering facts and presenting agu- 
ments to show that greater care in the rearing of hogs as well as all kinds ot 
farm stock is one of the most important reform movements of the age. But 
all that may be done in the way of investigation and counsel by Departments 
of Agriculture and the press will be of little avail unless breeders and feed- 
ers themselves persevere individually in carrying out the suggestions that 
may from time to time be made. 

Good Testimony for Berkshires. — Mr. Lewis F. Allen, of Buffalo, 
New York, editor of the first 24 volumes of the Short-horn Herd Book, has 
kept Berkshire swine on his farm at Grand Island, in the Niagara river, 
since 1837 — forty-six years in all, and he says, most emphatically, that they 
are the best of all other kinds. He has never bred them to sell, but kept 
them solely for his own farm use. Now here is an experience worth re- 
cording in favor of Berkshires, for Mr. Allien is well acquainted with all 
other breeds in America, and is a first-rate judge of all our domestic animals. 



24 THE SWINE BREEDER'S MANUAL. 



THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.* 

To the Editor of the American Berkshire Record: 

In reply to your favor I would say, Yes! I am more than ever satisfied 
of the correctness of my statement made some months since in a prominent 
live-stock publication, to the effect that black hogs have for a considerable 
time been gradually and surely taking possession of the pens and pastures 
formerly sacred to the whites alone. The statement seemed to me so self- 
evident that I was satisfied no one could successfully controvert it, but as 
certain breeders of white hogs have severely criticised it, I will say that it is 
almost unanimously supported, not only by men who raise swine most 
largely, but by those who have the best opportunities for seeing the greatest 
numbers of them as shown at fairs, or as they pass through the great live- 
stock marts, en route to their final destination. 

That such a state of affairs should exist now, when but a short time since 
thousands of men, who now have no others, considered black hogs very much 
off color, and would have scarcely accepted one as a gift, seems indeed 
remarkable, and I am not much surprised that some who have not kept 
awake to what was going on around them, now, when suddenly hit hard 
with remorseless facts, rub their eyes and dodge, while meeting the issue, by 
shouting "you're another 1" 

From the abundant proof that white hogs have of late years been 
crowded down and out by their colored rivals, I will quote the statement of 
John B. Sherman, who, for a good share of a lifetime, has been superin- 
tendent of the Chicago Union Stock Yards, and every year sees the millions 
of swine brought there from ail points of the compass. He says that, for at 
least three years past, nine hogs out of ten received there, have been dark 
colored. My friend, Mr. E. W. Perry, whom most of your readers know as 
the former editor of the American Stockman^ of Chicago, says: *' It is my 
opinion, based upon a somewhat careful estimate from observation extended 
through eight or nine years of almost daily attendance in the live-stock mar- 
kets, that not more than twenty-five per cent of the hogs now sent to market 
in the West show any considerable amount of white hair, and not more than 
five per cent, of the whole supply of late received here, are of any well 
defined white breed." 

As a packing point, Kansas City follows next after Chicago. Mr. H. P. 
Child, the superintendent of the stock yards there, to test the matter, at my 
request counted no cars of hogs received from all directions, and found 491 
head that were from two-thirds to all white, or, the ratio of 6.66 white to 
93.34 black hogs in each hundred. He thinks that ten years ago they were 
about equally divided; in 1874 twenty per cent, were white, and that they 
have, since then, gradually decreased to the present proportion. 

The superintendent at the swine department of the Kansas City Exposi- 
tion says of the great number of hogs shown there: "In 1876 ninety per 

• From the anther of "Swine Husbandry" — a book which should be in the hands of every 
one engag^ed in rearinf^ and feeding hogs — we have, in respoiue to a special iiMptirf, this 4 
article on "The SarriTal of the Fittest." 



THE SWINE BRKKDRE's MANUAL. 25 



cent, were dark; in 1877, eighty-five per cent; in 1878, ninety per cent, in 
1879, eighty-five per cent; in 1880 and 1881 all w^re black P'' 

Secretary Shaffer, of the Iowa Agricultural Society, says, at the State 
Fairs of 1880 and 1881, about half the entries were of white hogs, but thinks 
four-fifths of the hogs of Iowa are of other colors. 

At the Kansas State Fair of 187 1 there was but one white hog in 760 
entries, and at the State Fair in Bismarck Grove, the afore-mentioned white 
hog was the only one I could find among 293 head that I counted. 

In a letter from the -Secretary of the Ohio Board of Agriculture, he 
writes: " Of the hogs exhibited at our fairs for two or three years past, about 
esventy per cent, were of the dark breeds; the white breeds seem to be rap- 
idly on the decrease." 

L. N. Bonham, a well known agricultural writer of Butler county, says, 
in iifouthern Ohio white hogs are so rare as to be curiosities. 

Ihe Secretary of the Minnesota Agricultural Society says, at their Fair 
last fall there were 58 dark and 5 white hogs. Mr. Clark, of the great Min- 
neaj-olis Fair says, three-fourths of the hogs shown there were dark colored. 

At the Illinois Fair of 1S80 there were 314 hogs entered; 287 of them 
were of other than white breeds, and the ralSo for someyears has been much 
the Svime. 

The advertisements in the leading farm and stock journals indicate that 
of llidse who have swine to sell for breeding purposes, ten are breeders of 
dark colored hogs for every one that offers white ones; in fact, all the testi- 
mony without bias indicates the same thing, and the query naturally arises, 
Why is this so ? 

In answer to it I would say here, as I have said before, in substance, that 
the men of the Western States care little for sentiment, but raise corn to 
feed to hogs, for the purposes of making pork and money out of it, and are 
possessed of discernment enough to select such stock as will best accomplish 
that result. They have, by long years of experience, found the skin of a 
white hog too delicate to wishstand the stinging fiV)sts, scorching suns, the 
alternating mud and dust, with the almost unvarying corn diet incident to 
our varying seasons and the system of farming pursued in a comparatively 
new country, where so many much-needed improvements and conveniences 
are yet to be provided. Nothing is more natural than that stock found to 
be lacking in stamina and hardiness, should, under such circumstanceiS, be 
superseded by breeds possessing the essential qualities desired. It has been 
fully demonstrated that hogs with dark skins are much less liable to cutane- 
ous diseases than the white ones, and, at the same time, have all their good 
qualities; hence the stock pens are filled with Berkshires, Poland-Chinas and 
their crosses, also a rapidly increasing percentage of " reds " and their 
crosses, while their fair-haired relatives, in spite of their many other excel- 
lencies, are rapidly becoming — elsewhere as in Southern Ohio — "curiosities" 
to the boys, who, a generation hence, will control the destinies of this 
countrj we now call ours. F D. Coburn. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



HERD-BOOKS AND RECORDS A NECESSITY. 

The success that has for generations attended breeding in line, of horses, 
and cattle, has led breeders ot sheep, swine, and chickens to give attention 
also to the character of the ancestors of their breeding stock. The greater the 
number of choice, and only choice, ancestors, the greater are the chances for 
the offspring to inherit the qualities sought for. 

This law is so well established, and so generally accepted, that it has 
more or less influence over every breeder of choice animals. The more 
careful the breeder, the more will he prize the animal that has a rich inher- 
itance of a long line of meritorious ancestors. This line cannot be kept ac- 
curately by tradition, or by verbal report. It must be done by a written 
record, handed down from generation to generation. For convenience and 
accuracy these family lines have been printed in book form, and cattle men 
call their book a Herd-book. Swine breeders call their book a Record. The 
Berkshire breeders have four volumes of their Record before the public. 
The second volume of the Ohio Poland China Record will soon be issued. 

The work of recording aninftls and tracing lineage must be done with 
care, and yearly records kept by the breeders. Many breeders dislike to 
write, and dislike the additional labor of keeping records, and writing out 
records or pedigrees for customers, and consequently oppose the entire busi- 
ness of pedigreeing stock. 

The man who is willing to take the pains to keep a record, which he is will- 
ing to submit to the inspection and criticism of the public, shows that he is 
at least willing to do that much toward careful breeding. The fact that he 
js careful over one thing, argues that he is probably careful in many things, 
which go to make up a trustworthy breeder. And, on the other hand, the 
fact that a breeder is careless in this vital matter, argues that he is careless in 
other things. It is easy for this latter class to show stock to a customer, and 
tell of some noted ancestors; but when this story, told in the stockyard or 
breeding pens to a confiding customer, is committed to paper, and sifted and 
traced beside other known and established records, its inconsistency and 
worthlessness become apparent. The day has about passed when buyers 
will be satisfied with such verbal pedigrees ; they must be written so that they 
can be verified. 

The work of keeping records is neither so difficult nor so complex as many 
would make believe. Some men make a bungle of keepingsimple accounts; 
but that is no argument against book-keeping; nor is it likely that he who 
keeps no books is either more accurate or trustworthy than he who keeps his 
accounts carefully. Books may be falsely kept, and pedigrees may be falsely 
made; but if the false accounts are put under the inspection of an expert, the 
errors are easily detected. So with written pedigrees; they are open to pub- 
lic inspection, and criticism of experts, that the character of the pedigree for 
truth or falsehood will be established. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANAAL. 2*] 

These written and recorded pedigrees promote integrity rather than de- 
ception, and they assist to establish a line of pure-bred stock. And it is fur- 
ther evident that a pure breed of animals cannot be kept without keeping 
accurate records of all the animals used as breeders. 

A man who claims to have originated and built up a pure breed .of ani- 
mals, and yet has never kept a record of his breeding animals, must have a 
low estimate of the intelligence of breeders. 

The man who has blazed his way through a forest, can easily trace his 
way back. If he cannot trace his way back, it is evidence that he never went 
over that ground, or is such a bungler as to be wholly unreliable as a leader. 
Bates was clear as to the route he took, and the animals used to establish the 
type of cattle, which have made his name a household word in every part of 
the world, wherever good cattle are found. When only the animals used as 
breeders are recorded, the volumes of the records do not become too numer- 
ous or bulky. 

The work of pedigreeing all kinds of farm animals has been shown to be 
entirely feasible, and sooner or later every reputable b.reeder will need to 
record his stock. 

L. N. BONHAM. 

i 

FEEDING VS. SHIPPING CORN. 

American farmers would find it to their pecuniary advantage were they 
to feed more of their corn to meat-producing animals on their own farms, 
rather than allow it to be shipped to other countries there to be converted 
into meat. The great bulk of American corn is fed at home, and there is 
no good reason why it should not all be disposed of in this way. The profits 
in feeding would thus all accue to American farmers, and the difference 
between the cost of transporting the corn in bulk and that of sending the 
meat abroad would be saved. The pig is very generally conceced to be more 
perfectly adapted to the conversion of corn into meat than any other of our 
domestic animals, and among the different breeds of pigs none excel the 
Berkshires as economical producers of the most saleable meats, fresh or 
cured. 

Parties seeking for safer investments yielding good and quick returns 
should bear these facts in mind. 

Pedigree is the order of the day among the live stock of the farm, and 
certainly breeders are encouraged by fair prices to improve and develop their 
herds and ilocks. Herd books have done much to foster the growing desire 
to keep pure breeds, and these records are indispensible when sales are to be 
made. — London Live- Stock Journal. 

A GOOD RUI-H. 

Mr. Wm. McCulloch, when buying Short-horns in England for ship- 
ment to Australia, was guided in his selections by the rule "Pedigree first, 
animal aftei'wards;" to which he added, "Unless both are good do not buy." 
A safe rule when thus improved. 



GESTATION TABLE. 

Sbowinfr the date when a sow is due to farrow, couuting sixteen w«elcs 
from the dav when she was served. 



FROM 


TO 


FROM 


TO 


FROM 


TO 


FROM 


TO 


FROM 


TO 


FROM 


TO 


Jan. 


Apr. 


Mch. 


June 


May 


Aug. 


July 


Oct. 


Sept. 


Dec. 


Nov. 


Feb. 


I 


'3 


I 


21 


I 


21 


I 


21 


I 


32 


I 


31 


3 


24 


2 


22 


2 


22 


3 


22 


3 


23 


a 


22 


3 


li 


3 


23 


3 


23 


3 


23 


3 


24 


3 


23 


4 


4 


24 


4 


24 


4 


24 


4 


^1 


4 


24 


i 


% 


S 


25 


5 


25 


5 


25 


s 


26 


5 


25 


6 


26 


6 


26 


6 


26 


6 


% 


6 


26 


I 


39 


7 


27 


7 


27 


7 


27 


7 


7 


% 


30 


8 


28 


8 


28 


8 


28 


8 


29 


8 






9 


29 


9 


29 


9 


29 


9 


30 










10 


30 


10 


30 


10 


30 


10 


3' 




Mch. 




May 




July 


II 


3' 


II 


3' 




Jan. 


9 


I 


9 


I 








Sept. 




Nov. 






10 


• 


lO 


3 


II 


I 










II 


I 


II 


3 


II 


3 


13 


3 


12 


I 


12 


I 


13 


3 


12 


4 


13 


4 


'3 


3 


•3 


2 


'3 


2 


'3 


3 


"3 


i 


'3 


s 


«4 


4 


14 


3 


H 


3 


14 


4 


«4 




6 


16 


1 


M 


4 
5 


'5 
16 


4 

5 


11 


1 


IS 
16 


I 


i6 


9 


\l 


2 


17 

iS 


6 

7 


•7 
iS 


6 

7 


17 
18 


I 


\l 


9 
10 


10 


19 


9 


19 


8 


19 


8 


19 


9 


19 


II 


«9 


II 


20 


10 


20 


9 


20 


9 


20 


10 


20 


13 


20 


IS 


21 


II 


21 


10 


21 


10 


21 


II 


31 


«3 


31 


'3 


32 


13 


22 


II 


22 


II 


22 


la 


22 


«4 


22 


"4 


23 


13 


23 


13 


23 


12 


23 


'3 


23 


"5 


23 


15 


24 


14 


24 


'3 


24 


n 


24 


>4 


24 


16 


H 


16 


25 


"5 


25 


>4 


25 


'4 


25 


«S 


25 


\l 


25 


17 


26 


16 


26 


15 


26 


'S 


26 


16 


26 


26 


18 


^i 


>7 


27 


16 


27 


16 


27 


17 


2 


19 


27 


19 


18 


28 


>7 


28 


17 


28 


18 


20 


28 


ao 


29 


19 


29 


18 


29 


18 


29 


J9 


29 


ai 


29 


ai 


30 


20 


30 


■9 


30 


'9 


30 


20 


30 


33 


30 


32 


3« 


21 


3> 


20 


3' 


20 










3' 


"3 


Apr. 




June 




Aug. 




Oct. 


ai 


Dec. 

I 


•3 


Feb. 




I 


22 


I 


31 


I 


21 


a 


33 


a 


•4 






3 


23 


3 


32 


2 


23 


3 


23 


3 


•s 


I 


24 


3 


24 


3 


23 


3 


23 


4 


»4 


4 


t^ 


a 


25 


4 


25 


4 


24 


4 


24 


S 


'I 


1 


27 


3 


26 


5 


26 


S 


25 


S 


25 


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tHK SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 29 



THE REGISTRY OF STOCK. 

The following information in regard to the registry of Berkshires is 
compiled from the official transactions of the American Berkshire Associa- 
tion. 

A number of the points on which information has at times been specially 
requested are more fully treated in the short articles which follow the rules 
of entry. 

The advantages the Record presents to breeders have not escaped the 
notice and appreciation of the best live stock breeders and writers, on both 
sides of the Atlantic. Some of their expressions of opinion, setting forth 
its value and importance in promoting the interests of the meat producers of 
the country, will be found in the brief extracts arranged under their proper 
heading. 

THE FIRST STEP. ' 

If not already furnished with Entry Blanks send for a supply, and on 
them make your applications, without further delay, for registry in the 
Volume now in course of preparation. 

FAMILY NUMBERS. 

By common consent and almost universal custom, family numbers are 
placed after, instead of before, the names of animals, for example: Duke of 
Gloucester I., and not "ist Duke of Gloucester." The reverse of this prac- 
tice in the naming of Berkshires might have been, for minor reasons, in a 
few cases an improvement, but for the sake of uniformity and general con- 
venience all have cheerfully acquiesced in the present arrangement. 

OMISSIONS WHICH CAUSE DELAY IN REGISTRY. 

In applications for registry, dates of farrow, names of breeders, — and if 
imported — names of importers, names of owners, and satisfactory pedigrees 
of sires and dams should always be given. Applications deficient in any of 
these particulars are necessarily subject to delay. 

RECORD NUMBERS IN EACH VOLUME. 

Boars from i — 469 are recorded in Vol. I.; from 471 — 1505 in Vol. II.; 
from 1507 — 2465 in Vol. III.; from 2467—3305 in Vol. IV.; from 3307 — 40S5 
in Vol. v.; from 40S7 — 4999 in Vol. VI. Sows from i — 1090 are recorded 
in Vol. I.; from 1092 — 3600 in Vol. II. ; from 3602 — 5340 in Vol, III.; from 
5342 — 6S10 in Vol. IV.; from 6812 — S370 in Vol. V.; from 8372 — 10,000 in 
Vol. VI. 

THE USE OF RECORD NUMCERS. 

Breeders are recommended when referring to registered animals to give 
the Record namber, as well as the name. The number should always be 
placed immediately following the name, and without intervening punctua- 
tion, or the insertion of the abbreviation " No." Examples: 

Prince 33; Black Prince II. 37.; Queen 804; Queen III. 814. 

This method having been adopted by the Association, an animal so num- 
bered is at once supposed to be registered in the American Berkshire 
Record. 



^O THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



RULES OF ENTRY IN THE AMERICAN BERKSHIRE RECORD. 



1. Applications must be made upon blanks furnished by the Secretary, 
and should be signed or accompanied by a certificate of the breeder of ani- 
mal, if such breeder is living.* 

2. An entry fee of one dollar for each animal recorded will be required, 
3.-. The immediate descendants of^animals 'heretofore recorded may be 

admitted to registry. 

4. On and after Jan. i, 1884, animals not the immediate descendants of 
recorded sires and dams shall not be admitted to registry except their ances- 
tors can^be shown'to trace to[recorded stock, and said ancestors shall also be 
recorded. 

5. Unsound or unworthy individual animals should not be presented 
for registry. Such will not be admitted under "any circumstances, where 
facts proving their inferiority are made known to the Executive Committee. 

6. The use of duplicate names should be avoided. 

7. In a pedigree, each animal known to be dead should'be marked by 
an X preceding the name. 

8. The breeder of an animal is the party owning the dam at the time of 
service, and dictating the cross. 

9. In view of the fact that the value [of a pedigree^depends^largely on 
the character and standing of the party or parties who bredrand\reared the 
animals represented therein, it is a matter of no small importance'that the 
name of the breeder of every animal mentioned in each pedigree be given. 
This, if known, should never be omitted. Frequently^ the breeder's name is 
absolutely necessary for the proper identification'of the animal. 

10. Each change of ownership of recorded'animals ^must^be accompa- 
nied by a transfer signed by the former owner and a fee of 25 cents. This 
transfer will be placed on file for publication, and a certified copy furnished 
by the Secretary to the buyer. 

11. With a view to assisting breeders in keeping private|^records of the 
stock they sell, the Association has published Blank Forms for Pedigrees. 
These are bound in sets of one hundred, with stubs for memoranda. In 
order to bring them within the reach of all, they are sold"at the low price of 
$1.00 per set, post-paid. 

12. The price of Vol. I. is $3.30 post-paid ;|,!that of Vol. II., $5.00 post- 
paid; and of Vols. III., IV. and V., $3.00 each]post-paid. Volumes I. and II. 
will be sent, if ordered at same time (although both need not go to the same 
address), for $S.oo post-paid, the money to accompany the order. "Volumes 
I., II. and III. will be sent on the same conditions for $10.00. Volumes I., 
II., III. and IV., on the same conditions^for $i2.oo;'"or the entire five Vol- 
umes for $15.00. 

13. Remittances may be made by draft, P. O. Order, or Registered Let- 
ter. Do not remit bj private check on your local bank,';««/e55 you\include 
in the amount enough to cover exchange — usually 2^ cents. 

Address, Phil M. Springer, Secretary, 

Court House Square, Springfield, 111. 



THE SWINK breeder's MANUAL. 3I 



UNPEDIGREED ANIMALS. 

An esteemed correspondent and patron of the Record writes m regard 
to an exceptionally fine Berkshire sow which he desires to have recorded. 
He represents her as having all the appearance of being a purebred animal, 
but fails to furnish her pedigree. Yet he expresses a hope that some arrange- 
ment may be made whereby she and her progeny can be admitted to the 
Record. He says, "Being in sympathy with your Association, it would 
give me great pleasure to patronize it altogether and aid you, but until I can 
get this sow entered my influence is impaired. I believe I am warranted in 
saying I give more attention to Berkshires than any one in this section of the 
country, and so long as the sow at the head ot my herd is unregistered, it is 
useless for me to urge my patrons to register their pigs, or to buy only reg- 
istered pigs." 

Occasionally we have similar requests from other parties. We can read- 
ily see that from the standpoint of the writers there should seem to be 
good reasons why such animals should be recorded, but if arguments were 
needed to show why animals without pedigrees should not at this time be ad- 
mitted to the Record, the following suggestions could be enlarged upon: 

1st. The admission of even one such animal for one man would render 
the Association liable to be importuned upon all sides for the admission of 
others in like condition. 

2d. It would scarcely be possible, without incurring greater expense 
than the end would justify, to determine the worthiness of such animals in 
other respects; as the employment of special agents would be necessary, 
whose duties it would be to personally inquire into each case. 

3d. Parties who have heretofore complied with all the requirements of 
the Association for the admission of their stock, would feel aggrieved should 
Others be specially favored in this regard. 

4th. Breeders very generally having learned to rely on the impartial 
enforcement of the rules, the Association could not afford to do anything 
that would tend to alienate the confidence of breeders or impair its useful- 
ness. It had belter sail on with the motto "Honor Bright" at the mast- 
head, than to go aside for present gain and thereby ultimately fail. 

• 

5th. The admission of unpedigreed animals at this day would be unsat- 
isfactory to the great majority of breeders, including even those who do not 
now record their stock. 

6th. The admission of unpedigreed stock would not place it on an 
equality in public estimation, with stock whose ancestry is already known 
ihiough the Record. The influence of this Assoc! aion is greatly over- 
estimated if it is supposed that it could make unpedigreed animals popular 
by the endorsement which their admission to the Record would give. In- 
stead of helping such to any great extent, it would in a far greater degree 
injure the stock already admitted. 



32 THE SWINK BREEDER'S MANUAL. 



7th. There are comparatively, few pure bred Berkshires in the country 
but are or can be recorded and if the present rate of advancement in public 
opinion continues, it will soon be hard to find ppre-bred stock of any of our 
more important domestic animals that cannot show a public registry of its 
breeding. Recorded stock being thus available to start with, there is less 
excuse than formerly why animals of unknown ancestry should now be used 
in founding new herds. 

PEDIGREE RECORDS. 

Upon the amount of time and research required in collecting and verify- 
ing the pedigrees heretofore published, it is needless to dwell. Scarcely a 
breeder of any note but has been brought to realize the difficulties attending 
a work of the kind, from his own experience when attempting to prepare 
pedigrees for registry. The missing links are unnoticed until a close exami- 
nation is made with a view to publication, when in many cases the desired 
data cannot be found, simply because no methodical effort has been made to 
preserve the information now required. Many parties who had never before 
considered the matter, and a greater number of others who for years had de- 
sired more definite and complete pedigrees of the animals they purchased 
than it had been customary to give or accept, have been led by the experi- 
ence above mentioned to look upon the Record as an invaluable aid in their 
attempts to improve and perpetuate in its purity the stock of their choice. 
Moreover they find the Record saves them much time formerly spent in 
writing out detailed pedigrees to be furnished with the animals sold. It 
insures against loss of data once known and clearly stated, and prevents 
liability to errors or discrepancies either in dates of farrow or names and 
breeding of animals. It protects buyers to a great extent from the imposi- 
tions of designing dealers or breeders, and at the same time saves men of 
well known integrity and skill as breeders the humiliation of hearing false 
claims made to the possession of animals from their herds by unreliable 
parties. 

LONG NAMES. | 

By common consent among breeders and patrons of the Record long 
names in pedigrees are declared a nuisance. The Association has often been 
requested to adopt a rule whereby ambitious parties will be prevented from 
incorporating in the name of an animal its pedigree for one or more genera- 
tions, or an advertisement of the herd or farm from which it comes. While 
the Association prefers not to attempt a remedy of this evil in the manner 
suggested, it does earnestly recommend that names reasonably short be 
chosen. We are satisfied from correspondence reaching this office, that long 
names of the class alluded to are in many cases an injury to the sale of stock 
in whose pedigree they appear. Parties who wish to popularize their herds 

will do well to heed the admonition here given. 

• 

THE ORIGIN OF BERKSHIRE SWINB, 

The most exhaustive treatise ever written on this subject will be found 
in Volume I. of the American Berkshire Record. It was prepared for the 
Association by Dr. H. J. Detmers, so well known as a veterinary writer, and 
for the thoroughness with which he goes to the bottom of any subject he 
undertakes to handle. A perfect knowledge of the early history of any 
breed of domestic animals must enable us to determine to a great extent the 
tendencies of any given course of breeding in their descendants of the pres- 
ent day. To the careful, thoughtful breeder of Berkshires, the treatise in 
Volume I. on the origin of this favorite breed, will be of special interest and 
value. The same volume contains also the Prize Essay on the Origin, Breed- ' 
ing and Management of Berkshires, written by Hon. A. B. Allen, of Flushing, • 
New York. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 33 

SALE REPORl" BLANKS. 

In order to lessen the frequency of our calls upon parties owning recorded 
stock, for information regarding animals bred by them from said stock and 
sold tor breeding purposes, suitable blanks have been prepared. 

Breeders are respectfully requested to give upon these the following 
facts in the case of each un-recorded animal disposed of during the past 
year (or if convenient during several years past^ : Name and postoffice 
address of purchaser, name, sex and date of farrow of animal, name of sire 
and name of dam. 

After placing upon the blank the desired information, they will please 
sign the same as correct to the best of their knowledge and belief and return 
it to this office. Here it will be filed as reliable data for the compilation of 
pedigrees sent for registry by their customers. By compliance with the re- 
quest here made, it is believed breeders will be able to give the facts more sat- 
isfactorily and with less inconvenience to themselves than if frequently asked 
to go over their private records for information in the case of individual 
animals. At the same time the papers thus placed in the hands of the 
Association will serve as barriers against fraud on the part of pretenders to 
the possession of pure-bred Berkshires. 

WELL BRED SIRES INDISPENSABLB. 

Thousands of dollars are lost to farmers and stockmen every year, by 
the injudicious selection of breeding animals. One of the most common 
mistakes in this matter is that of using sires of unknown ancestry. There is 
no longer any excuse for this. In the purchase of Berkshires, particularly, 
all who will may readily avail themselves of the advantages presented by the 
American Berkshire Record for securing well bred stock. In making ad- 
ditions to the herds already started, or in founding new herds, well advi»ed 
breeders use no other than well bred pedigreed animals. 

BLANK FORMS FOR PEDIGREES. 

The great convenience of these forms to breeders, and the very moderate 
price at which they are sold, have made them popular wherever known. 
They are now in use by breeders of cattle, sheep and swine, are adapted to 
any and all-breeds, and enable parties to keep an account of the sale and 
breeding of each animal sold. Each set contains one hundred forms. Price 
per set $ioo, post-paid. Sets of two hundred forms each, with special 
headings, so that everj' pedigree given advertises the herd from which it 
comes, will be gotten up at $300 per set, post-paid. 

RULE AT THE FAIRS. 

** Swine in the Berkshire Class shall not be recognized as eligible to 
entry, unless they trace to animals recorded in the American Berkshire 
Record, or the exhibitor furnish in writing, at time of entry, equally satis- 
factory evidence as to purity of breeding." 

The foregoing has been made a standing rule governing entries of Berk- 
shires at fairs by some of the leading State and county fair associations. 

A careful reading of this rule shows it to have been framed with a view 
to the best interests of the exhibitors of pure-bred stock. The registry of 
their animals by exhibitors is not made an imperative condition of their be- 
ing allowed to compete for the premiums. Evidence of purity of breeding 
equally satisfactory to that furnished by public registry is all that is required. 
An exhibitor who has no satisfactory showing that his stock is pure bred, as 
claimed, has no just cause of complaint when it is not allowed to compete in 
pure-bred classes. 



34 THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



AMERICAN BERKSHIRE RECORD. 

WHAT IS SAID OF IT BY THE PRESS AND BY LEADING BREEDERS OF BERKSHTRES, 
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC. 



To the swine and pork producer, the latest feature of Importance affect- 
ing their specialties, is the attention now given to the subject of pedigrees in 
breeding. All must admit, whatever may heretofore have been their views, 
that pedigree in swine has at this day become a most important factor in 
the successful breeding and selling of these animals — more especially is this 
the case with Berkshire swine. That much more rapid progress can be 
made in the improvement of any breed of animals by careful attention to 
pedigree in mating, need not be argued here. 

The only question to determine as regards swine breeding is, whether ot 
not the pedigreeing of this class of stock is practicable. As a most conclu- 
sive proof that it is, I beg to refer to the volumes of the American Berk- 
shire Record. 

The Association under whose supervision these volumes have been 
issued, has done more since its organization to improve and popularize this 
most valuable breed of swine than could have been accomplished in a lifetime 
— if at all — without the aids and advantages it has been enabled to present. 

The pages of the American Berkshire Record will continue to be 
scanned by parties designing to purchase, hence all who have pure-bred 
stock for sale may readily see the benefits most surely to result from having 
the same recorded. J. H. Pickrell, Harristown, 111. 

The American Berkshire Association has thus far received the support 
of the principal breeders in Canada and the United States, and will without 
doubt secure still greater confidence in the future. It is not intended that a 
fund shall be accumulated for the special benefit of the members, but rather 
that any surplus realized from record fees shall be used in such way as may 
be deemed most beneficial to the patrons of the work and the general 
interest of Berkshire breeding. 

The price of registration, as well as of the Rkcord, has been made «o 
moderate as to be within reach of all breeders. 

John C. Snell, Edmonton, Ont., Canada. 

♦ * • Therefore how necessary it is that we preserve our 

pedigrees and show the breeding of our herds; and to do this the American 
Berkshire Record is a necessity. It supplies a want long felt by swine 
breeders. It is published by a corps of men who are entitled to our confi- 
dence and support. ♦♦*♦♦»• 

At least one-half the inquiries to-day are for " Registered Berkshires." 
It may cost something now to register, but be assured it will return manifold 
before many years. Jas. M. Kirk, Salem, Ohio. 

Herd Books for Cattle have proved to be of immense benefit in the im- 
provement of stock. The Record will be of equal benefit in improving 
Berkshires, and before long a herd will be considered of doubtful purity un- 
less recorded. 

Another advantage of the Record is, that it is one of the best advertise- 
ments for a herd, and the cost is but a trifie. 

Chas. p. Mattocks, Portland, Me. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 35 



In view of the constantly growing popularity of Berkshires, great in- 
ducements are thereby offered to the breeding of spurious animals, the 
only safeguard against which is the American Berkshire Record. 

Registration constitutes the best possible advertisement, since the larger 
the number of animals recorded the greater the interest awakened and the 
more extended becomes the circulation of the Record. 

An early record enhances the value of a herd, as animals possessing a 
long line of well-bred ancestry invariably have the preference with purchas- 
ers, and the more promptly entries are made the quicker will one volume 
succeed another, bringing the animals entered sooner into public notice. 

If all properly qualified Berkshires are registered, breeders and others 
can with safety materially improve their herds by selections from the 
American Berkshire Record. 

As the superior advantages of our country and climate have enabled 
Short-horn breeders to so improve their originally imported stock as to create 
a demand for it at high prices in the land from whence it came, so it is in 
the power of Berkshire breeders to accomplish the same by breeding with 
slill nnd judgment and keeping accurate records in the American Berk- 
shire Record. 

No reliable home bred Berkshire stock can emanate from any other 
source than that of animals recorded in the American Berkshire Record, 
since by no other means can it be publicly and satisfactorily ascertained 
that its ancestry has been carefully bred. 

T. S. Cooper, Coopersburg, Penn. 

The value of the Record to the Berkshire business, can not be over- 
estimated. The Association, by its untiring efforts and the co-operation of 
many reliable Berkshire breeders in different parts of the country, has suc- 
ceeded in gathering together much valuable information that never could 
have been obtained in any other waj'. Their work has been heartily en- 
dorsed on every hand, and the Record is now looked upon as a standard 
authority by all leading breeders of Berkshire swine in America and Great 
Britain. It has become as important a feature in the Berkshire business as 
the different herd books of cattle are in the several specialties they are in- 
tended to promote. 

N. H. Gentry, Sedalia, Mo. 

The great importance of having only thoroughbreds of all domestic 
animals, and especially of the Hog, whether the object be to reproduce thor- 
oughbreds or to cross upon the common stock of the country, is too well 
known to require comment. 

It is very important to the few breeders of choice Berkshires in the 
South that they should have their best stock registered in the early volumes 
of the American Berkshire Record. 

S. N, Steele, Macon Station, Ala. 

The subject of pedigrees is all-important to the breeders of pure 
Berkshires, and in no other way can a full knowledge of one's stock be 
obtained than by the mode of keeping a record of pedigrees open to public 
inspection and criticism. The value of animals registered on the pages of 
the American Berkshire Record is considerably enhanced, and breeders 
may rest assured that every precaution is used to guard against the introduc- 
tion of unworthy or unsound animals, so that the purchase of Berkshires 
from patrons of the Association may be fully relied on. 

William Bruce, Columbus, Ga. 

At the present day, when purchasers make their selections with greater 
care than formerly, it is a matter of no small importance to us that we place 
the breeding of our herds in the American Berkshire Record ; that great 
public highway on which the progressive breeders of to-day go in search of 
new animals to cross upon their own stock, and where the beginners in the 
basiness are almost sure to make their first selections. 

J. A. How^BRTON, Paris, Ky. 



36 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



The announcement, "AH Stock recorded in the American Berkshire 
Record," now so generally made in the advertisements of breeders, speaks 
volumes for the usefulness of the book. 

To the Western breeders this most important aid in maintaining the 
breed in its purity, ought to be welcome, indeed. Our herds often are 
widely separated; they are colonies, or rather missionary stations, among 
the hordes of mongrels of low degree, by which they are environed. Again 
all are separated by many thousands of miles from the parent stock, so that 
should they lose their identity, or be contaminated by the stock they are so ad- 
mirably calculated to improve, the herd can only be restored at a great outlay 
both of time and means. I wish not to be invidious, but it is from this 
home-bred and thoroughly acclimated stock that we must expect the greatest 
usefulness, whether we consider the subject from the standpoint of the pro- 
fessional breeder, or pork-maker. 

Moreover, it is not unreasonable to suppose that the changed condition 
as to food and climate found here will produce corresponding variations in 
all our breeds of foreign origin, thus adding greatly to the cares of the 
breeder in making his selections. To avoid impure blood on the one hand, 
and to keep clear of hereditary taint and weakness on the other, the breeder 
mu«t have that full knowledge of his stock which can only be furnished by a 
record of pedigrees open to public inspection and criticism. These are 
some of the reasons, briefly stated, why the enterprise of the American 
Berkshire Association is of special importance to the breeders of the West. 
It is for you to say -whether it shall serve you to the full measure of its aims. 

I would counsel our breeders not to delay in this matter. In the near 
future much credit will attach to stock whose ancestors have obtained a 
place in these the "early " volumes of the Berkshire Record. Such herds 
will rank among the old, standard sorts, in which young breeders will de- 
light to lay the foundations of their herds, and from which all breeders of 
Berkshires will esteem it a privilege to make additions to their herds. 

Finally, the American Berkshire Association is truly national in its 
character and aims; it is patronized by the breeders of all sections, both in 
this country and Great Britain, and it is worthy of your fullest confidence. 
E. M. Shelton, State Ag'l College, Manhattan, Kansas. 

The object of the Record is to preserve and put before the public the 
ancestral history of each animal registered therein, thus enabling the reader 
to see at a glance, what qualities any particular individual is likely tg trans- 
mit. 

It cannot be doubted that those principles, which are recognized ascor- 
rect in the breeding of horses and cattle, will apply with equal force tothe 
breeding of Berkshire Swine. The same end is had in view, viz.: theob- 
taining of those qualities, which, in each, are considered most desirable. 
This can be done only by careful selection, judicious breeding and the pre- 
servation of -well authenticated f'di^rees. In' no way can the latter be so 
well accomplished as by the use of the AMERiCA>f Berkshire Record, 

The cost of recording is but a trijte compared with the benefits to be de- 
rived from it in the near future. "Put money in thy purse," says Shakspeare, 
"Put money in thy purse;" and I know of nothing that will with greater 
certainty do this than the amount expended in the registration of really fine 
Berkshires; for the time is coming, yea, even now is, when the only stock 
that can be sold at faying prices is such as have good pedigrees froperly 
recorded in the American Berkshire Record. 

Alkx. M. Fulford, Bel Air, Md. 

It is to be hoped that the American Berkshire Record will at once 
be recognized as authority, and that it will become as indispensable in deter- 
mining awards at fairs, so far as Berkshires are concerned, as are the Eng- 
lish and American Herd Books in the awards to Short-horns. 

Hon. John H. Klippart, 
lee. of Ohio State Board of Agriculture, 



THE SWINK breeder's MANUAL. 37 

The undersigned desires to call the attention of breeders of Berkshlres 
in Ireland to the success which has followed in America the public registra- 
tion of Berkshire pedigrees. The leading breeders of England have also 
given a favorable reception to the work of the American Berkshire Associa- 
tion, It is unnecessary to say anything to intelligent breeders as to the ad- 
vantages of public registration of the pedigrees of horses and cattle. * * 

I can see no reason why similar results would not follow from the regis- 
tration of Berkshires. **•»••• 

I bring these facts before the minds of Irish Berkshire breeders, who are 
not inferior to any in England or America for intelligence or success. I 
hope they will avail themselves of the opportunity now presented to them, 
so that their stock may be in a position to maintain the distinguished repu- 
tation it has so long held. ^Besides, as a mere advertisement, the entering of 
stock in a good Herd Book, or Record, will generally prove a good invest- 
ment, as breeders and their herds are thus constantly brought under the 
notice of purchasers and breeders. 

David Glenn, Kilfennan, Londonderry, Ireland. 

I would venture to submit, that if, through the difficulty of gaining in- 
formation, we make our selections at hazard in the extremes of non-relation- 
ship, we risk a loss of the quality and appearance which is now our admira- 
tion; and still more certainly, if we make our selections in the extremes of 
close relationship, shall we be risking the loss of hardy constitutions and 
many other useful qualities. 

A system of detailed pedigrees, as published in the American Berkshire 
Record, would place the desired information within the reach of all whose 
arrangements in the matter are likely to have any amount of influence on 
the future stock of Berkshires in the country. 

Heber Humfrey, Shrivenham, Eng. 

The interest taken in this country for some years past in Berkshire pigs, 
appears to be well sustained, if we may judge from the successful continua- 
tion of the Herd Record published by the American Berkshire Association. 
— Cultivator and Country Gentleman^ Albany, N. Y. 

A record of pure bred stock means simply system in breeding, and sys- 
tem is the only road by which perfection may be approached. Improvement 
in stock means profit to the producers and feeders, and he who can make 
twenty-five and thirty per cent, profit to the breeder over the common hog, 
by supplying an improved stock, is as fully entitled to the world's gratitude 
as the man who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before. 

The American Berkshire Record gives that favorite breed of swine a 
great advantage over all other breeds which have no record of their pedigree 
to refer to, by persons desiring pure blooded animals to breed from. — Tk€ 
Kansas Farmer^ Topeka, Kans. 

For conciseness, clearness, ease of examination and for general arrange- 
ment, the work is a m.odel. There is no superfluity about it, yet it is so plain, 
that the way-faring man, though a fool, need not err in it. * * 

Breeders may congratulate themselves that they have a complete record 
of convenient size and at a reasonable cost. — Cincinnati Commercial^ Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

The high standing in this community of the gentlemen entrusted with 
the management of the Association is all the guarantee that breeders of 
Berkshire swine could desire. All are practical and extensive breeders of 
Berkshire swine, and fully appreciate the wante of the public. — Daily State 
yournalf Springfield, 111. 

The previous volumes of the Record are unsurpassed by any similar 
publications made, and each succeeding one grows better. — F. D. Coburn, 
Topeka, Kao, 



38 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 



The projectors of this enterprise are entitled to no little credit; and when 
we consider the obstacles they have encountered, all will pronounce theii 
success well earned. From the fact that the Berkshire Record is the 
pioneer record of swine, that it deals with the history of a race which had 
its oriu;in in a foreign country many thousands of miles distant, some of 
these difficulties may be inferred. Happily, when the crucial test of experi- 
ence has been applied, these obstacles have been removed, and the Berk- 
shire Record must now be considered outside the region of peradventures. 

The American Berkshire Association, unlike many similar enterprises, is 
truly national in character, and is patronized by breeders of all sections both 
of this country and Great Britain. In addition to recording pedigrees, mucli 
useful work has been done in disseminating valuable information, in the 
shape of prize essays on the origin and diseases of swine. — The Industrialist , 
Manhattan, Kan, 

The success of the Record shows its high esteem by breeders, and the 
increased value and rapid improvement in the stock proves its merits and 
importance. — American Agriculturist. 

The American Berkshire Association is now incorporated and acting 
under the laws governing corporations in the State of Illinois. It has in 
the past done a good work in the encouragement of farmers and others in 
the improvement and perfection of the breeds of swine. It would be diffi 
cult to overestimate the value of swine to this country, and every improve- 
ment is one shared by the people at large, English authorities bear cheerful 
testimony to the superiority of American swine over that of any other part 
of the world. In a recent report the English Commissioners say: "No- 
where can such grand herds of swine be seen as in the maize States of the 
Union. You can see a thousand pigs without finding a bad one, and there 
can be no doubt that the swine in America is generally superior to that of 
England." Nor is there any doubt but that with care it can be still further 
improved. That is the object of the American Berkshire Association, and 
is certainly one to be commended. The book is very handsomely printed 
and substantially bound. — Chicago Inter-Oceam, 

American Berkshire Record. — This is the fifth volume of this model 
work on pedigrees of pure stock, which is the acknowledged authority on 
Berkshire pedigrees everywhere. It is an invaluable guide to all in search 
of well-bred stock of this superior breed; for with this in hand the farmer 
can easily avoid the mistake of purchasing sires or dams of unknown history. 
This fifth volume, of 254 pages, in addition to the usual complex index to 
owners, giving the sex, name and number of the animals belonging to each, 
contains also a like index to breeders and several other improvements. In it 
the last number assigned to boars is 4,085 and the last to sows, 8,370. The 
Record grows steadily in favor with breeders, as the advantages it affords 
them become from year to year more apparent. The demand for recorded 
stock has never, we learn, been so great as at the present day, and the aver- 
age quality of the animals now being bred shows a marked improvement 
over those of former years. This volume, like',its predecessors, is printed on 
tinted paper and handsomely bound in cloth, with red-colored edges The 
five volumes of neaily 1,700 pages, containing a large number of valua- 
ble essays and other information, will be sent, post-paid, for $15. Applica- 
tion for the books and other information should be made to the Secretary, 
Phil, M. Springer, Springfield, III. — Rural New Torker. 



THE SWINE breeder's MANUAL. 39 

(Breeder's Gazette.) 

TO THE BREEDERS OF BERKSHIRE SWINE. 

The following circular is being sent out from the office of the American 
Berkshire Association : 

Dear Sir— At the last meeting of the American Berkshire Association the following 
resolution was adopted: 

Resolved, That on and after Jan. i, 18S4, animals not the immediate descendants of 
recorded sires and dams, shall not be admitted to registry except their ancestors can be 
shown to trace to recorded stock, and said ancestors shall also be recorded. 

At a late meeting of the Executive Committee, it was ordered that the secretary issue a 
circular reminding breeders and importers of the above contemplated change in the rules of 
entry, in order that all might be duly advised thereof. In compliance with this order the 
resolution is now brought to the attention of the parties interested. 

Yours respectfully, 

Phil M. Springer, Sec'y. 
Springfield, 111., June i, 1883. 

Remarks. — In a former issue of The Gare//^ was published a petition 
from Berkshire breeders to the American Berkshire Association, in which 
were well set forth certain reasons why there should no longer be any dis- 
crimination in favor of foreign-bred animals presented for registry in the 
American Record. These reasons need not here be repeated at length. 
They amount to this : That for many years American breeders have im- 
ported from the best English herds, at great expense, the choicest animals 
to be found in those herds; that during the last seven years they have sus- 
tained a public record of the breeding of these late importations, as also of 
stock bred from importations of earlier days; that by means of this record 
the composition of every herd of any note in America is now readily ascer- 
tained, and that an examination of these herds discloses the fact that in 
them the very highest standard of breeding has been maintained. Why, 
then, should an enterprise, originating with and supported by Americans, 
any longer discriminate in favor of stock bred in other lands, particularly 
when that stock is no better than their own? 

This petition came before the association at the time the policy of ex 
eluding from registry all American-bred animals not descended from recorded 
ancestors was under consideration. As will be seen from the foregoing cir- 
cular, both questions have been settled by the adoption of a single resolution 
placing all animals, so far as the location of their breeding is concerned, on 
the same footing as regards their eligibility to the record. 

Therefore, after the ist of January, 1884, the door closes against all ani- 
mals not tracing to recorded stock. Breeders and importers have yet seven 
months in which to record under the present rules. All who have really 
good stock, and who expect to aid in supplying the future demand for pure- 
bred Berkshires, will hardly allow this time to go by unimproved. 

We believe the association has acted wisely in this matter. Certainly 
no one can complain of undue haste on its part in now putting up the bars 
against those who have, during all these years withheld their stock from re- 
gistry. In view of the fact that Berkshires were already conceded to be the 



40 THE SWINE BREEDER S MANUAL. 



purest-bred class of swine in the world, the association has done well in 
keeping the doors open so long as it has. The danger of admitting impurely 
bred animals would be less than in the case of newer breeds. By the de- 
lay a wider range of foundation stock would be secured and a better base 
for future breeding established; while the discrimination in favor of Eng- 
lish-bred animals was calculated to encourage the importation, as well as the 
registration of animals bred in Great Britain. 

It is not probable, however, that further delay will secure to American 
breeders any additional advantages. On the other hand, the change will 
give to the founders of the present pure-bred herds in America the encour- 
agement and support due them for the aid they have rendered in developing 
the great meat-producing interests of the country. 

While the effect may be to check importations for a time, it can hardly 
be supposed that the habit of importing, so long prevalent among Americans, 
will be permanently affected. It is evident, however, that English breeders 
who wish to retain their American trade will find it difficult to do so unless 
they place themselves in position to satisfy the popular demand for good, 
well authenticated and extended pedigrees, as well as for animals of special 
merit in other respects. 

The founding of a Berkshire Association in England, and the publica- 
tion of a record there, would do more to sustain and increase the demand 
for English-bred Berkshires than any other measures that English breeders 
could adopt. The existing difficulties in securing satisfactory pedigrees 
would in this way be obviated, since the work of collecting and collating 
the necessary details would already have been done prior to admission to the 
English Record. Such animals would doubtless find ready acceptance with 
American buyers, and also be admitted to the American Record. 

We are Confident that the publication of a Berkshire Record in England 
is only a question of time. An examination of the volumes of the Ameri- 
can Record shows a growing disposition on the part of English breeders to 
avail themselves of its use in bringing their own herds into notice. For 
example, the animals in Vol. V. owned by Messrs. Humfrey, of Shrivenham, 
Stewart, of Gloucester, and Swanwick of Cirencester, constitute about 
three-sevenths of all the Berkshires recorded in the ownership of English 
breeders. Thus, with the leading breeders in England, as well as in America, 
the pedigreeing of stock grows in favor as a means of enhancing its value. 
Such stock, of whatever kind, whether horses, cattle, hogs or sheep, not only 
sells better, but can be used to better advantage. More being known of its 
tendencies in breeding, it may be mated with greater certainty as to results 
than in the case of animals of unknown ancestry. 

We are always glad to note every indication of progress in methods 
among breeders and farmers generally, and a just appreciation of the herd 
books and records of the various classes of farm animals is one of those 
signs of advance which The Gazette is pleased to commend. 



)BRED BYfe 



WM. JNO. WINTER, MASSIE P. 0., CANADA. 



Soliciting tlie patrouage of American Breeders of Berkshire Swine, I beg to state that my 
herd consists of a few choice sows selected from the herds of John Snell's Sons, J. G. Snell & Bro., 
and H. C. Lang, and some nice specimens bred by myself. The fine young boar Royal Toronto 
4577, stands at the head of the herd. He was sired bjr Russell Swanwick out of Royal Lady 8216 
1st prize at Bath and Westof England, andsired by Gloucester IV. 4ul7. Royal Toronto 4577 won 1st 
prize in the " under one year class " at the Provincial Exhibition at Kingston and at the Toronto 
Show in 1882 and his pigs liave proved flrst-class. 

I oflfer for sale a few nice pigs of Spring and July litters (mostly sows) also from the sow Sal- 
lie Stewart and sired by Knight of Gloster, 2nd at Royal, England 1882; also from Cantatric 9084 
and Norali Clermont 929«, got by imported Royal Carlisle 3433, also Princess Bismarck got by Cad- 
enzas Carlisle 4317. The last 3 sows bred to Royal Toronto ^577 by whom they had fine litters last 
Spring. All pigs accui ately described so that purchasers may know what to order and expect. 

Royal Toronto 4577 will be sold for deliTery in December. A very fine year- 
ling* Boar of the Souvenier Strain for sale now. 



WILLIAI JOHI WIITEE. 



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